benevolence
noun
be·nev·o·lence bə-ˈnev-lən(t)s 
-ˈne-və-
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.
Synonyms
- boon
- courtesy
- favor
- grace
- indulgence
- kindness
- mercy
- service
- turn
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The benevolence of companies is a terribly shaky safety net. 
Melissa Jeltsen, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2022 In our current climate, any person or organization that genuinely wants to be trusted should work on communicating their expertise, honesty and benevolence (care and concern for others). Jennifer Spear, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Folly, pride and malevolence are constants of our species, but so are reason, piety and benevolence—and the rise of the nation-state is thanks to its relative success in managing the former and making space for the latter. Christopher Demuth, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2022 Gehring praised the utility for both its charitable contributions and its benevolence toward clients on utility disconnections. Kathiann M. Kolwalski, cleveland, 1 Aug. 2022 There’s a comforting benevolence to not recalling the pain once felt. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 Many places harbor a sense of benevolence toward outsiders. Doug Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2022 On a bright afternoon 40 days since the equinox, our sun showed spring strength, especially with few clouds to interfere with its beaming benevolence. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2022 The long arc of history points to our benevolence and cooperation as a species, and the real science is only now catching up and changing researchers’ views on subjects from economics to psychology. Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 11 May 2021 See More
Melissa Jeltsen, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2022 In our current climate, any person or organization that genuinely wants to be trusted should work on communicating their expertise, honesty and benevolence (care and concern for others). Jennifer Spear, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 Folly, pride and malevolence are constants of our species, but so are reason, piety and benevolence—and the rise of the nation-state is thanks to its relative success in managing the former and making space for the latter. Christopher Demuth, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2022 Gehring praised the utility for both its charitable contributions and its benevolence toward clients on utility disconnections. Kathiann M. Kolwalski, cleveland, 1 Aug. 2022 There’s a comforting benevolence to not recalling the pain once felt. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2022 Many places harbor a sense of benevolence toward outsiders. Doug Struck, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2022 On a bright afternoon 40 days since the equinox, our sun showed spring strength, especially with few clouds to interfere with its beaming benevolence. Washington Post, 30 Apr. 2022 The long arc of history points to our benevolence and cooperation as a species, and the real science is only now catching up and changing researchers’ views on subjects from economics to psychology. Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 11 May 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
see benevolent
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
benevolence
noun
be·nev·o·lence bə-ˈne-və-ləns
: kindness sense 1, generosity
benevolence
noun
1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance self-effacing as well as selfless, he refused all public acknowledgement of his many benevolences to the community Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- kindness
- mercy
- grace
- service
- indulgence
- privilege
- courtesy
- blessing
- benefit
- boon
- favor
- dispensation
- advantage
- turn
- waiver
- liberty
- manna
- godsend
- license
- licence
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- interference
- hindrance
- obstacle
- impediment
- hurdle
2
as in generosity
kindly concern, interest, or support her benevolence towards her employees was such that she actually let one live in her home temporarily Synonyms & Similar Words
- generosity
- friendship
- kindness
- neighborliness
- friendliness
- goodwill
- kindliness
- cordiality
- amity
- brotherhood
- charity
- good-fellowship
- harmony
- cordialness
- altruism
- empathy
- community
- fellowship
- sympathy
- companionship
- bonhomie
- gemütlichkeit
- tolerance
- comradeship
- camaraderie
- selflessness
- collegiality
- concord
- unselfishness
- comity
- civility
- rapport
- philanthropy
- rapprochement
- affinity
- communion
- company
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- malevolence
- hatred
- hostility
- intolerance
- malice
- venom
- ill will
- antagonism
- enmity
- animosity
- antipathy
- hate
- disfavor
- rancor
- belligerency
- incivility
- querulousness
- quarrelsomeness
3
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others an actress who was admired for her benevolence as for her beauty Synonyms & Similar Words
- kindness
- tenderness
- beneficence
- generosity
- humaneness
- benignity
- kindheartedness
- kindliness
- tenderheartedness
- warmth
- attentiveness
- warmheartedness
- good-heartedness
- thoughtfulness
- mercifulness
- considerateness
- friendliness
- benignancy
- compassionateness
- affability
- altruism
- patience
- charitableness
- magnanimity
- graciousness
- softheartedness
- tolerance
- niceness
- pleasantness
- understanding
- leniency
- clemency
- unselfishness
- philanthropy
- good-naturedness
- charity
- good-temperedness
- greatheartedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cruelty
- heartlessness
- callousness
- savagery
- inhumanity
- barbarity
- ruthlessness
- brutality
- brutishness
- savageness
- mercilessness
- unkindness
- pitilessness
- barbarousness
- bestiality
- inconsiderateness
- severity
- hard-heartedness
- cold-bloodedness
- sternness
- unkindliness
- thoughtlessness
- malevolence
- insensitivity
- unfeelingness
- toughness
- meanness
- grimness
- harshness
- virulence
- maliciousness
- spitefulness
- hatefulness
- vitriol