Link Centre Dictionary

benevolent

be·ne·vo·lent

UK/bəˈnɛvələnt/ US/bʌˈnɛvʌlʌnt/ uncommon

adjective

1.

doing or producing good

Similar
2.

intending or showing kindness

  • “a benevolent society”
3.

having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others

  • “his benevolent smile”
  • “a benevolent nature”
Synonyms
Antonyms
4.

generous in providing aid to others

Synonyms
Similar
5.

generous in assistance to the poor

  • “a benevolent contributor”
  • “eleemosynary relief”
  • “philanthropic contributions”

Origin

From Old French benevolent, borrowed from Latin benevolēns ("benevolent"). Displaced native Old English welwillende (literally well-wishing).

Phrases

  • benevolent absolutism
  • benevolent assimilation
  • benevolent dictator for life
  • benevolent overlord

Related words

Word family

Pertaining to

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.