be·nev·o·lent

(bə-nĕv′ə-lənt)

adj.

a. Characterized by or given to doing good: "a benevolent philanthropist who donated the funds to found the town library" (Willie Morris).

b. Suggestive of doing good; agreeable: a benevolent smile.

2. Relating to a charitable organization that operates without making a profit.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin benevolēns, benevolent- : bene, well; see deu- in Indo-European roots + volēns, present participle of velle, to wish; see wel- in Indo-European roots.]

be·nev′o·lent·ly adv.

Synonyms: benevolent, charitable, eleemosynary, philanthropic
These adjectives mean of, concerned with, providing, or provided by charity: a benevolent fund; a charitable foundation; eleemosynary relief; philanthropic contributions. See Also Synonyms at kind¹.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adv.

benevolently - in a benevolent manner; "she looked on benevolently"

malevolently - in a malevolent manner; "she gossips malevolently"

Translations

بِإحْسان

blahovolněshovívavě

generøstgodhjertet

wohlwollend

góîlátlega

sjenerøst

cömert bir şekilde

仁慈地

benevolently

[bɪˈnevələntlɪ] ADV → con benevolencia, benévolamente

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

benevolently

[bɪˈnɛvələntli] adv [smile] → avec bienveillance f

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

benevolently

adv look, say → wohlwollend; smile → gutmütig; (= leniently) → milde

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

benevolently

[bɪˈnɛvələntlɪ] adv → con benevolenza

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

benevolence

(biˈnevələns) noun

generosity and desire to do good.

beˈnevolent adjective

a benevolent father.

beˈnevolently adverb

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

The wizened-looking little man came and watched them benevolently, peering every now and then through his spectacles, and applauding mildly any particularly good stroke.

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Douglas smiled benevolently and told John to take "dear Janet" out into the garden and get her some roses.

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While the Frenchman's boats, then, were engaged in towing the ship one way, Stubb benevolently towed away at his whale the other way, ostentatiously slacking out a most unusually long tow-line.

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The Chancellor took it haughtily, drank it off thoughtfully, smiled benevolently on the happy waiter as he set down the empty glass, and began.

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Or are the works of Claude, and the other fellows, to be benevolently increased in number, to supply the wants of persons of taste and quality?

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"And yet you rescued me from a strange and perilous situation; you have benevolently restored me to life."

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But her faith in the good spot which exists in the heart of the naughtiest, sauciest, most tantalizing little ragamuffin gave her patience, skill, and in time success, for no mortal boy could hold out long with Father Bhaer shining on him as benevolently as the sun, and Mother Bhaer forgiving him seventy times seven.

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"Why, you'll make me wish to stay here two or three years." I spoke as benevolently as possible, though it had begun to act on my nerves that with these women so associated with Aspern the pecuniary question should constantly come back.

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Fine gentlemen smiled at her benevolently as they talked with Martin and one another; a type-writer clicked; signatures were affixed to an imposing document; her own landlord was there, too, and affixed his signature; and when all was over and she was outside on the sidewalk, her landlord spoke to her, saying, "Well, Maria, you won't have to pay me no seven dollars and a half this month."

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If the simplest people are disposed to look not a little kindly on great Prosperity (for I defy any member of the British public to say that the notion of Wealth has not something awful and pleasing to him; and you, if you are told that the man next you at dinner has got half a million, not to look at him with a certain interest)--if the simple look benevolently on money, how much more do your old worldlings regard it!

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But to return to Ned; I have no doubt you thought, and therefore interfered benevolently in his behalf, that I objected to Miss Haredale.

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"Certainly not, my dear cousin!" answered the Judge, smiling benevolently. "On the contrary, as you must do me the justice to own, I have constantly expressed my readiness to double or treble your resources, whenever you should make up your mind to accept any kindness of that nature at the hands of your kinsman.

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