benevolence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "benevolence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an act of kindness or when talking about someone's kind or generous nature. Example Sentence: His benevolence towards others was a source of great admiration.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I've written before, coal's concern for the world's poor is either a sudden onset of benevolence or a cynical ploy to use people's genuine concern over poverty to sell more of their product.

The Guardian

Far from an act of benevolence, this would seem basic common sense.

The Guardian - Sport

But I also recognise the pride and the civic benevolence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The same sense of benevolence and relaxed blitheness also touched Californian pop-rockers Maroon 5, as they once dished out free concert tickets to guests.

The Guardian - Travel

The story was wholly inappropriate to the occasion – the social high point in the year of a theatre company which depended on the benevolence of rich sponsors.

The Guardian

All they want is to improve themselves physically, morally and spiritually, and they say that "Master Li" has shown them how to do it with his preaching of "truth, forbearance and benevolence".They accuse the government of having twisted the truth about the Falun Gong all along.

The Economist

IT IS more than 200 years since Adam Smith observed that people enjoy their daily bread thanks not to the benevolence of their baker, but to his selfish pursuit of profit.

The Economist

Blatant benevolence allows women to demonstrate the latter.

The Economist

Part of the problem is that French voters are notorious for their belief in the state's benevolence and the market's heartless cruelty.

The Economist

It relied for its freedom and security upon the benevolence and goodwill of America.

The Economist

Just as well.Second, the ADIZ has done great damage to China's fairly successful recent efforts to reassure its neighbours of the benevolence of its intentions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "benevolence" to describe actions or qualities motivated by a desire to do good for others, especially when highlighting the moral or ethical dimension of such actions.

Common error

Avoid using "benevolence" to simply mean 'help' or 'assistance'. "Benevolence" implies a moral and often charitable motivation, not just any act of aiding someone.

Linguistic Context

The noun "benevolence" functions primarily to denote a disposition or inclination to do good, or to describe actions characterized by charitable kindness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English, aligning with numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "benevolence" is a noun that signifies a disposition to do good, often expressed through charitable acts and kindness. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "benevolence", it's important to convey actions or qualities motivated by a genuine desire to benefit others, distinguishing it from mere assistance. Alternative phrases like "charitable giving" and "acts of kindness" can be used to provide more specific nuances. The best practice is to highlight the moral dimension, while avoiding overgeneralization to mean simply 'help'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

altruistic actions

Highlights actions performed selflessly for the benefit of others, without expecting personal gain.

kind-heartedness

A general term for having a kind and empathetic nature.

generous disposition

Refers to an inherent personality trait characterized by generosity and kindness.

acts of kindness

Highlights specific actions that demonstrate a kind or generous nature.

goodwill

Emphasizes the positive intention and friendly disposition behind an action or attitude.

compassionate behavior

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of showing kindness and empathy towards others.

magnanimous spirit

Highlights a generous and forgiving nature, especially towards rivals or those less fortunate.

charitable giving

Focuses specifically on the act of donating to charity as an expression of kindness.

philanthropic endeavors

Refers to organized and strategic efforts to promote social welfare, often involving significant financial contributions.

humanitarian efforts

Focuses on organized efforts to alleviate suffering and improve the well-being of others.

FAQs

How can I use "benevolence" in a sentence?

You can use "benevolence" to describe a person's disposition to do good, charitable acts, or an altruistic gift. For example, "Her benevolence towards the less fortunate was widely admired."

What are some synonyms for "benevolence"?

Alternatives to "benevolence" include "charity", "generosity", "altruism", and "compassion", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of kindness and goodwill.

Is it correct to use "benevolence" in a business context?

Yes, "benevolence" can be used in a business context to describe a company's philanthropic efforts or its ethical approach to business practices. However, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the genuine intention to do good, rather than mere self-promotion.

What is the difference between "benevolence" and "generosity"?

"Benevolence" typically implies a desire to do good or promote the well-being of others, often through charitable acts. "Generosity", while related, focuses more on the act of giving or sharing resources freely, without necessarily implying a broader moral purpose.