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well-meaning

[ wel-mee-ning ]

adjective

  1. meaning or intending well; having good intentions:

    a well-meaning but tactless person.

  2. Also well-meant []. proceeding from good intentions:

    Her well-meaning words were received in silence.



well-meaning

adjective

  1. having or indicating good or benevolent intentions, usually with unfortunate results


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Word History and Origins

Origin of well-meaning1

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

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Example Sentences

A lot of those people were well-meaning but really, really screwed up.

However, even reputable news sources and well meaning celebrities are guilty of implying that she should have known better.

All of this makes even the most well-meaning junior soldier more confused and more uptight.

Exploitation from well-meaning agencies whose mission is to offer help is counterproductive.

And yet even for the most well-meaning parent, there are no guarantees.

She was an honourable and well-meaning woman, who had found her own sphere in active good works among the poor of Thetford.

I met and talked with him this morning, and a simple priest he is, though a good, well-meaning man.

She was a hard-working, honest, and well-meaning soul, but she was not her husband's equal.

A man of ridiculous theories, but well-meaning, brave, and honest.

A man of wild and ridiculous theories, but well-meaning, brave, and honest.

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