benediction

noun

ˌbe-nə-ˈdik-shən How to pronounce benediction (audio)
Definition of benedictionnext
1
as in blessing
a prayer calling for divine care, protection, or favor the priest offered a benediction for the missing children

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2
as in benefit
something that provides happiness or does good for a person or thing the library's silence was a welcome benediction to someone, like me, who needed to concentrate

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of benediction There also will be a student reading of King’s work; live performances, including gospel music by Sherri Orr; the presentation of the 2026 Beloved Community Awards; and a benediction by Chaplain Kelly Figueroa-Ray. — Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2026 Ice Cube and Pitbull did a few numbers, and Smith was there to deliver a benediction. — Sam Kestenbaum, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2026 The ancient monastery clings to the rock face, suspended between earth and sky like a benediction. — Shunali Khullar Shroff, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Nov. 2025 In her farewell, Sarah gave him a fitting benediction. — Jasmine Baehr , Jennifer Griffin, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for benediction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for benediction
  1. blessing
  2. benefit
  3. prayer
  4. boon
  5. gift
Noun
  • With the blessing of their estates, dead actors like John Wayne are having their voices resurrected by AI.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Foreign ambassadors laid wreaths and the Patriarch of Lisbon, a senior Catholic church official, offered a blessing.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of blessing
Noun
  • The material benefit of the Emmys — of all awards shows, really — is almost entirely intangible.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The opportunity to learn from professionals in the field about working on engines and also learning from Miami-Dade College professors has been a huge benefit, said Rangel, the auto tech.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of benefit
Noun
  • Its rise also marks the beginning of the Hindu celebration of Pitru Paksha, during which worshippers perform rites to honor ancestors by offering prayers and food to past members of their families.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Until its revival as an everyday, spoken language in the modern state of Israel, it was mostly reserved for prayers and religious writings.
    — Ilan Stavans, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of prayer
Noun
  • As told in the Devi Mahatmya, the gods are beset by the demon (asura) Mahishasura, who received a boon that he cannot be killed by a man—but he can be killed by a woman.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The diminished focus and declining military presence that so concern South Korea are a boon to its neighbor, China.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of boon
Noun
  • To be with people of different ages, races, and experiences is a gift.
    — Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Two summers ago, the internet received the gift of Raygun, an Australian breakdancer who kangaroo-hopped her way into the 2024 Paris Olympics.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of gift

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Cite this Entry

“Benediction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/benediction. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on benediction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about benediction

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