benevolence

[ buh-nev-uh-luhns ]
See synonyms for: benevolencebenevolences on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. desire to do good to others; goodwill; charitableness: to be filled with benevolence toward one's fellow creatures.

  2. an act of kindness; a charitable gift: She bequeathed many benevolences from her vast fortune.

  1. English History. a forced contribution to the sovereign.

Origin of benevolence

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin benevolentia; see origin at benevolent, -ence

Opposites for benevolence

Other words from benevolence

  • non·be·nev·o·lence, noun
  • su·per·be·nev·o·lence, noun
  • un·be·nev·o·lence, noun

Words Nearby benevolence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use benevolence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for benevolence

benevolence

/ (bɪˈnɛvələns) /


noun
  1. inclination or tendency to help or do good to others; charity

  2. an act of kindness

  1. (in the Middle Ages) a forced loan or contribution exacted by English kings from their nobility and subjects

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012