benevolent[adjective]Synonyms: kind, altruistic, benign, caring, charitable, generous, philanthropic
Antonyms: malevolent
Contrasted words: cruel, inhuman, malicious, spiteful, niggardly, stingy, callous, indifferent, insensitive, unconcerned, unfeeling
Related Words: beneficent,
charitable,
humane,
compassionate,
tenderhearted,
bighearted,
freehearted,
generous,
greathearted,
largehearted,
liberal,
openhanded,
public-spirited,
do-good
English Thesaurus: kind, nice, generous, considerate, thoughtful, ... [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
type/kind/sort one member of a group of people or things that have similar features or qualities.
Type is the usual word to use in scientific or technical contexts. In everyday English, people usually use
kind or
sort:
What type of fish is this? There are two main personality types.kind a type of person or thing.
Kind is less formal than
type, and is used especially in everyday English:
What kind of food do you like? There were all kinds of people there. The study is the first of its kind in Ireland.sort especially British English a type of person or thing.
Sort is less formal than
type, and is used especially in everyday British English:
What sort of person is she? I like all sorts of music.form one type of something from all the ones that are possible – used especially when things have different physical characteristics, or in certain fixed phrases:
There are many forms of heart disease. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. The first primitive life forms consumed various materials, including hydrogen sulfide, and released oxygen. In those days, horses were the commonest form of transport. We need to use alternative forms of energy. a popular form of entertainmentvariety a type that is slightly different from others in the same group:
The French make many varieties of cheese. This is a new variety of apple.species a type of plant or animal, which can breed together to produce plants or animals of the same type:
These forests contain many species of trees. The giant panda is an endangered species.of a ... nature formal used when talking about a particular type of thing:
Many people find it embarrassing to discuss problems of a sexual nature. Minor incidents of this nature normally occur about once a month.category a group of people or things that are all of the same type – used when there is a clear system for deciding which group something belongs to:
The three major categories of rock are: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. She won the best actress category at the Oscars.brand used when talking about the particular way that someone does something or thinks about something, when this is very different from that of other people:
She has her own special brand of humour. He has called for a more positive brand of politics.genre formal a type of art, music, literature etc. that has a particular style or feature:
He has written novels in several genres, most notably science fiction.nice especially spoken friendly and kind.
Nice is very common in everyday spoken English and is often used instead of
kind:
Everyone has been so nice to me. It’s nice of you to invite me here. He seems such a nice man.generous kind because you give people money, presents etc:
‘I’ll pay for the meal.’ ‘That’s very generous of you.’ a generous giftconsiderate thinking about other people’s feelings, and careful not to do anything that will upset them:
Our neighbours are very considerate and always keep their TV turned down. a considerate driver He’s always very polite and considerate to his guests.thoughtful thinking of things you can do to make other people happy or feel good – used especially when someone does something such as giving someone a present or helping someone:
It was thoughtful of you to send him a card. Some thoughtful person had taken her bag to the lost property office.caring kind and wanting to help and look after people:
She’s lucky to have such a loving and caring husband. The British are well-known for their caring attitude toward animals.sympathetic saying kind things to someone who has problems and behaving in a way that shows you care about them:
My boss was very sympathetic and said I should take some time off work. She gave him a sympathetic smile.good kind and showing that you want to help – used especially in the following phrases:
It was good of you to come and see me. She’s always been very good to us.sweet informal very kind – used especially when you like someone very much, or you are very pleased because of something they have done:
I was given the flowers by a sweet little old lady who lived next door. It’s sweet of you to ask. a sweet thing to saykind-hearted/warm-hearted especially written having a kind and friendly character, which makes other people like you:
He was a wonderful father, kind-hearted and always laughing. The town is full of warm-hearted, helpful people.benevolent formal kind and wanting to help people – often used about someone who is important or who people respect:
a benevolent ruler They believe in the existence of a benevolent God who will save mankind. He listened politely, like some benevolent uncle. [TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲