benevolent
- 1Inclined by nature to do good, acting with kindness, generosity, and fairness toward others.
Local folk tales portray the mountain spirits as benevolent, guiding lost hikers back to the trail.
Under a benevolent manager, the staff felt safe admitting their mistakes.
Similarkind, kindly, benign, generous, charitable
Oppositemalevolent, malicious, cruel, unkind
Note
A borrowed word that pushed out a native one: it came through Old French from Latin benevolēns and displaced Old English welwillende, literally "well-wishing." Both name the same thing, a settled wish for the good of others, so the adjective describes a character rather than a single act. Spirits, dragons and rulers are benevolent by nature, not because of one kind deed.
- 2Feeling or showing love for humankind as a whole.
The benevolent founder spent her fortune on schools and hospitals for people she would never meet.
His letters reveal a benevolent concern for the welfare of all humanity.
Similarphilanthropic, humanitarian, charitable, altruistic
Oppositemisanthropic, malevolent
Practice
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Origin
From Old French benevolent, borrowed from Latin benevolēns ("benevolent"). It replaced the native Old English word welwillende, literally "well-wishing".