benevolent
buh-NEV-uh-lunt/bəˈnɛvələnt/
- 1Wanting to do good, and being kind, generous, and fair to other people.
The old king was benevolent and always treated his people fairly.
In the story, a benevolent giant helps the lost children find their way home.
Similarkind, kindly, benign, generous, charitable
Oppositemalevolent, malicious, cruel, unkind
Note
- 2Feeling or showing love for all the people in the world.
The benevolent old man prayed each night for all the people in the world.
She had a benevolent heart and wanted every person on earth to be safe and happy.
Similarphilanthropic, humanitarian, charitable, altruistic
Oppositemisanthropic, malevolent
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Old French, which took it from the Latin word benevolēns.