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benevolent Definition

be·nevo·lent (-lənt)

adjective

  1. doing or inclined to do good; kindly; charitable
  2. characterized by or resulting from benevolence

Etymology: ME & OFr < L benevolens < bene, well + volens, prp. of velle, to wish: see will

benevolent Related Forms

be·nevo·lently adverb

benevolent Synonyms

benevolent

modif.

kind, generous, altruistic, helpful; see kind. See syn. study at kind.

benevolent Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • despot: The table scrap thing makes a person feel like a benevolent despot, a human queen of the cat realm.
  • dictator: Linux is the prime example of the ` ` benevolent dictator ' ' model of open-source development.
  • deity: How can there be a benevolent deity in charge of this world?
  • dictatorship: The British had always intended Nigeria to be ruled by a benevolent dictatorship.
  • disposition: Their benevolent disposition often made them enter the cottages of the poor.
  • gentleman: The same benevolent gentleman left a further sum of £ 50 to be divided among the poor.

Modifying Another Word

  • however: I for one did not actually expect to find the Tower of London infiltrated by anyone, however benevolent; the notion seemed far-fetched.
  • relatively: The Evans family were the sole local employers and appear to have been relatively benevolent for the time.
  • so: It turns out, however, their motives are not so benevolent.
  • very: Full Description: Long Cross Farm is reputedly haunted by a very benevolent spirit.
  • not: Most agents in the system are not benevolent, i.e. they have conflicting goals.
  • entirely: Gods may behave toward us in ways that we perceive as cruel for entirely benevolent motives.

Used with adjective complement

become: After his novel it became an acknowledged public holiday and employers even became more benevolent to the people who worked for them.