BENEVOLENT

beneficent, benevolent, eleemosynary, philanthropic

(adjective) generous in assistance to the poor; “a benevolent contributor”; “eleemosynary relief”; “philanthropic contributions”

benevolent, freehearted

(adjective) generous in providing aid to others

charitable, benevolent, kindly, sympathetic, good-hearted, openhearted, large-hearted

(adjective) showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity; “was charitable in his opinions of others”; “kindly criticism”; “a kindly act”; “sympathetic words”; “a large-hearted mentor”

benevolent

(adjective) intending or showing kindness; “a benevolent society”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

benevolent (comparative more benevolent, superlative most benevolent)

Having a disposition to do good.

Possessing or manifesting love for mankind.

Altruistic, charitable, good, just and fair.

Antonyms

• malevolent

Source: Wiktionary

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Be*nev"o*lent, a. Etym: [L. benevolens, -entis; bene well (adv. of bonus good) + volens, p. pr. of volo I will, I wish. See Bounty, and Voluntary.]

Definition: Having a disposition to do good; possessing or manifesting love to mankind, and a desire to promote their prosperity and happiness; disposed to give to good objects; kind; charitable.

– Be*nev"o*lent*ly, adv.

Syn.

– Benevolent, Beneficent. Etymologically considered, benevolent implies wishing well to others, and beneficent, doing well. But by degrees the word benevolent has been widened to include not only feelings, but actions; thus, we speak of benevolent operations, benevolent labors for the public good, benevolent societies. In like manner, beneficent is now often applied to feelings; thus, we speak of the beneficent intentions of a donor. This extension of the terms enables us to mark nicer shades of meaning. Thus, the phrase "benevolent labors" turns attention to the source of these labors, viz., benevolent feeling; while beneficent would simply mark them as productive of good. So, "beneficent intentions" point to the feelings of the donor as bent upon some specific good act; while "benevolent intentions" would only denote a general wish and design to do good.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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