1
as in benevolent
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
a beneficent couple who are regular volunteers at a homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in charitable
having or showing a concern for the welfare of others
a beneficent effort to help out the needy during the holidays
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in beneficial
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being
cultural activities have a beneficent effect on a community that can't be measured in dollars and cents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of beneficent
Plus, a lot of social policies that many Californians consider beneficent and broad-minded that, to put it mildly, others around the country consider much less so.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
The culmination of Roosevelt’s beneficent framing of the canal’s construction came during the spectacular world’s fair, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, held in 1915 to celebrate the canal’s opening.
—Julie Greene / Made By History, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
White male Christian authority could posture as gracious and beneficent as long as it was unquestioned.
—Rebecca Solnit
january 13, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2021
Both center-left and center-right in the West coalesce around calls for more porous borders, freer trade, and open minds, calling them either inevitable or beneficent, or more often both at once.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for beneficent
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
The culmination of Roosevelt’s beneficent framing of the canal’s construction came during the spectacular world’s fair, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, held in 1915 to celebrate the canal’s opening.
—Julie Greene / Made By History, TIME, 22 Jan. 2025
White male Christian authority could posture as gracious and beneficent as long as it was unquestioned.
—Rebecca Solnit
january 13, Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2021
Both center-left and center-right in the West coalesce around calls for more porous borders, freer trade, and open minds, calling them either inevitable or beneficent, or more often both at once.
—R. R. Reno, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2018
See All Example Sentences for beneficent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beneficent
Adjective
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The short war in Cuba gained the United States the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico; turned the nation into a Pacific power; and created beliefs that America was a stern yet benevolent country tasked by Destiny to enforce peace and bring prosperity to the world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
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Since that time, says Paine, even those fortunate enough to live under benevolent rule have seldom been more than one generation away from yet another dreadful monarch.—
Matthew Redmond,
The Conversation,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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The project is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Studies in animal models have also shown that oleic acid, a fatty acid found in olive oil, can enhance the function of the intestinal barrier by increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, specifically Bifidobacteria.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
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Though beneficial for water supplies, such events can wreak havoc on travel, bring deadly mudslides and cause catastrophic damage to life and property, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Talk through what’s bothering you to gain a compassionate perspective.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Del Toro, on the other hand, portrays the Creature as a far more empathetic and compassionate figure.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These are not philanthropic gestures.—
Olivier Wenden,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
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Based in Ooltewah, Tenn., the Morning Pointe Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living.—
Gabrielle Chenault,
Nashville Tennessean,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rutgers-Eagleton’s mid-October survey mirrored that trend, finding 42 percent of voters viewed Sherrill favorably and 45 percent unfavorably, while Ciattarelli’s numbers were 41 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Pics such as Gladiator and series including Game of Thrones have shot there, taking advantage of the favorable tax rebate system and production hubs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After almost getting run over by two cars in heavy rain, a tiny black kitten was saved by a kind stranger who stopped to help him and ended up taking him home.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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During high school, Morgan dates Chris (Scott Eastwood), who is magnetic but inconsiderate, and her sister dates Chris’s best friend, Jonah (Dave Franco), who is shy and kind.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As such, a solution is at hand – pending Hamas’ compliance to disarm immediately – truly neutral humanitarian operations beg for new measures and modalities.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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The return of Israeli hostages’ bodies from Gaza has become a focal point in ongoing ceasefire negotiations, symbolizing the humanitarian stakes of the conflict and its emotional toll in both Israel and Gaza.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Beneficent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beneficent. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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