Standard Lemma guide

benignant

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /bəˈnɪɡnənt/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Kind; gracious; favorable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective

Meaning 2

pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a benign smile
  • the benign sky
  • the benign influence of pure air

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: benign

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • our benignant king

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: gracious

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From benign + -ant, on the model of malignant.