Antonyms for benevolence


Grammar : Noun
Spell : buh-nev-uh-luhns
Phonetic Transcription : bəˈnɛv ə ləns


Definition of benevolence

Origin :
  • c.1400, "disposition to do good," from Old French benivolence and directly from Latin benevolentia "good feeling, good will, kindness," from bene "well" (see bene-) + volantem (nominative volens) present participle of velle "to wish" (see will (v.)). In English history, this was the name given to forced extra-legal loans or contributions to the crown, first so called 1473 by Edward IV, who cynically "asked" it as a token of good will toward his rule.
  • noun charity
Example sentences :
  • With what warmth of benevolence—how should he be otherwise than warm in any of his attributes?
  • Extract from : « Fire Worship (From "Mosses From An Old Manse") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Even in my benevolence I was as impatient and unreasonable as a child.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • His desire to please evidently arose not from vanity but benevolence.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • The parson had bent forward, and was eyeing her curiously, yet with benevolence.
  • Extract from : « Tiverton Tales » by Alice Brown
  • He is as thorough a worker in the cause of religion, morality and benevolence as in trade.
  • Extract from : « Cleveland Past and Present » by Maurice Joblin
  • But, if he is good as he is great, he is a god of benevolence on earth.
  • Extract from : « Slavery Ordained of God » by Rev. Fred A. Ross, D.D.
  • You'll be shorn like a lamb one of these days, with your benevolence.
  • Extract from : « The Fortune of the Rougons » by Emile Zola
  • There are three subjective principles of morals,—sympathy, benevolence, self-love.
  • Extract from : « Philebus » by Plato
  • And the picture of benevolence he made was only marred by the staring of his dreadful eyes.
  • Extract from : « The Night Riders » by Ridgwell Cullum
  • We have no pleasure in thinking of a benevolence that is only measured by its works.
  • Extract from : « Essays, Second Series » by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Synonyms for benevolence

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019