benevolence
noun
be·nev·o·lence
bə-ˈne-və-lən(t)s 
-ˈnev-
1
: disposition to do good
a king known for his benevolence
2
a
: an act of kindness
b
: a generous gift
3
: a compulsory contribution or tax levied by certain English kings with no other authority than the claim of prerogative (see prerogative sense 1b)
Did you know?
Part of benevolence comes from the Latin root meaning "wish". The novels of Charles Dickens often include a benevolent figure who rescues the main characters at some point--Mr. Brownlow in Oliver Twist, Abel Magwitch in Great Expectations, Mr. Jarndyce in Bleak House, Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. To be benevolent, it helps to have money, but it's not necessary; kind assistance of a nonfinancial sort may turn out to be lifesaving benevolence as well.
Examples of benevolence in a Sentence
self-effacing as well as selfless, he refused all public acknowledgement of his many benevolences to the community
her benevolence towards her employees was such that she actually let one live in her home temporarily
Recent Examples on the Web
Participants responded to versions of the Portrait Values Questionnaire, created by social psychologist Shalom Schwartz, to assess 10 core human values: universalism, benevolence, conformity, tradition, security, self-direction, stimulation, hedonism, achievement and power.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Without an economic reason to sustain wildlife populations, they won’t be conserved long-term through benevolence alone.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
For a certain stripe of critic, the problem with liberal internationalism isn’t its belligerence but its benevolence.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Combs pays her rent and her legal fees, another onlooker said, something that the jury could interpret as a show of benevolence or remorse.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for benevolence
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Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
Without an economic reason to sustain wildlife populations, they won’t be conserved long-term through benevolence alone.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
For a certain stripe of critic, the problem with liberal internationalism isn’t its belligerence but its benevolence.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Combs pays her rent and her legal fees, another onlooker said, something that the jury could interpret as a show of benevolence or remorse.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for benevolence
Cite this Entry
“Benevolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benevolence. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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benevolence
noun
be·nev·o·lence
bə-ˈnev(-ə)-lən(t)s
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