beneficent

adjective

bə-ˈne-fə-sənt How to pronounce beneficent (audio)
Definition of beneficentnext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 beneficent With the monetary system in a free-fall, some Iranians would rather have a beneficent king than all these pretenders oh-so-interested in the people. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026 But in Las Vegas, where spectacle-over-substance is kind of the whole point, the Wizard was a beneficent showman. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2025 Far away from the old, broken planet, a libertarian utopia will flourish, under the beneficent sway of the Elon. — Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2025 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
  1. benevolent
  2. charitable
  3. beneficial
  4. compassionate
  5. philanthropic
  6. favorable
  7. kind
  8. humanitarian
Adjective
  • The new movie follows a benevolent ex-pilot named Hig (Jacob Elordi) who, after losing his wife during a catastrophic global pandemic, lives out in the wilderness with his dog, Jasper, and ornery isolationist pal Bangley (Josh Brolin).
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • City leaders agree large, unsupervised gatherings could put kids at risk even if most attendees are there for benevolent reasons.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of benevolent
Adjective
  • The league could expand its existing community programs by partnering with food banks, funding mobile food pantries, providing meals to children during the offseason and directing team charitable dollars toward local food-security programs.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Melissa Sue Gerrits | Getty Images Federal law provides tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) to organizations that operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.
    — Greg Iacurci,Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • Unlike tobacco, a static product with no real defensible qualities outside of recreation, consumer technology is ever evolving, and the lines between harmfully addictive and beneficial to society can be extremely blurry.
    — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Also, ants are a beneficial insect and may not even be harming your plants.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of beneficial
Adjective
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The vaccine is being used under a compassionate-use program, which allows a medical product to be used in a serious disease situation even though it has not been specifically approved for that particular use.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Some billionaires have also pledged philanthropic contributions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
  • That would have been even a few more million bucks on top of what already looks more like a philanthropic civic act more than a savvy investment on Tullman’s impassioned part, but an enthusiastic punter can dream.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of philanthropic
Adjective
  • In addition, environmental conditions are quite favorable for intensification while Edouard remains over water.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Officials, however, said favorable weather in the coming days could help in the battle to control the blazes.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of favorable
Adjective
  • Honestly, the real amenity here is the staff, who made a very big, bustling corner of the city feel warm and kind.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In another life, a life that was kind to black people, Atlas would’ve been a scientist or a king or a master craftsman.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • As Cuba’s hot summer nears its end with no sign of regime change on the communist-run island, Cubans continue to suffer miserable living conditions as the country’s humanitarian crisis gets disturbingly worse.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Elisha Wiesel, son of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and chairman of the humanitarian organization that bears his father’s name, also joined the call to reconsider the honor.
    — Amber Garrett, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of humanitarian

Browse Nearby Words

beneficences
beneficent
beneficently
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All