benevolent
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for benevolent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Kind, generous, and wishing to do good for others.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use benevolent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
benevolent smile
benevolent dictator
benevolent society
Etymology
From Old French benevolent, from Latin benevolens, "wishing well" — literally bene ("well") plus volens ("wishing").
Full origin of benevolent →Frequently asked questions
What does “benevolent” mean?
The word “benevolent” means kind, generous, and wishing to do good for others. In plain terms, kind-hearted and genuinely wanting good things for other people.
How do you pronounce “benevolent”?
“Benevolent” is pronounced buh-NEH-vuh-luhnt (/bəˈnɛvələnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “benevolent” in a sentence?
Here is “benevolent” used in a sentence: “A benevolent donor covered the cost of the new playground.”
What is the opposite of “benevolent”?
The opposite of “benevolent” — its antonyms — is malevolent.
What part of speech is “benevolent”?
“Benevolent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “benevolent” come from?
The word “benevolent” comes from Latin. From Old French benevolent, from Latin benevolens, "wishing well" — literally bene ("well") plus volens ("wishing").
Is “benevolent” a common word?
“Benevolent” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
