What is the opposite of “benevolent”?

What is the antonym of “benevolent”?

The antonym of benevolent are malevolent, unkind, and cruel. These words describe people or actions that are harmful, unkind, or lacking in compassion.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

malevolent

Having or showing a desire to harm others.

Example

The villain in the story had a malevolent plan to take over the world.

unkind

Lacking in sympathy or kindness; cruel.

Example

It was unkind of him to make fun of her appearance.

cruel

Willing to cause pain or suffering; unkind.

Example

The dictator's cruel regime caused many innocent people to suffer.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Malevolent implies a strong desire to harm others, often for personal gain.
• 2. Unkind describes behavior that is lacking in sympathy or kindness.
• 3. Cruel refers to actions that cause pain or suffering, often intentionally.

Good things to know

• 1. Vocabulary Expansion: Use these antonyms to expand your vocabulary and express different shades of meaning.
• 2. Character Development: Use these words to create complex characters in stories or essays.
• 3. Critical Thinking: Analyze the actions of people in real-life situations and determine whether they are benevolent, malevolent, unkind, or cruel.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of benevolent are malevolent, unkind, and cruel. These words describe people or actions that are harmful, unkind, or lacking in compassion. Use these words to expand your vocabulary, create complex characters, and analyze real-life situations.