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Glite Dictionary
benignant

benignant

1 9.5
Being kind and gentle and helpful to other people
  • adjective
  • /bɪˈnɪɡnənt/
translation icon : benigno
  • The children play about unchidden; and one might imagine it, if not corrected, as some Festival of Lanterns; the place is so joyous, bright-tinted, and fantastic under the smiling, benignant moon.

Examples

  • The benignant sunlight bathed the garden in warmth, encouraging the flowers to bloom.

  • His attention returns to the droning executive, and the benignant smile returns to his lips.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Her benignant nature made her popular among the children in the neighborhood.

  • The doctor had a benignant demeanor that put all his patients at ease.

Synonyms

gentle
vsbenignant
235 1.0

Kind and not strong in action, sound, or touch

is focused on kind positive influence rather than physical mildness
gracious
vsbenignant
166 3.4

Being kind, polite, and generous to other people

is more about beneficial effect than social politeness
benevolent
vsbenignant
53 5.1

Willing to help other people and give them things they need

is more about gentle positive influence than active giving
benign
vsbenignant
35 6.2

Kind and gentle and not likely to cause harm

is about kind helpful influence toward others rather than mere harmlessness
kindly
vsbenignant
11 1.0

Being gentle and caring to other people

is about gently improving other people's wellbeing rather than just attitude

Antonyms

unkind
44 1.0

Not friendly or caring to other people

malevolent
22 8.0

Wanting to harm others

How Kind

compassionate
151 3.7
benevolent
53 5.1
benignant
1 9.5
kind
534 1.0
nice
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

benignant positive

Morphology

benignant = benign (transparent) = benign + ant

The adjective is directly formed from 'benign' with the adjective-forming suffix '-ant', so the meaning 'kind' is predictable from the base.

Etymology

The word benignant comes from the Latin word benignus, built from bene- 'well' and a part meaning 'born', so it first meant 'well-born' and kind. Think of the simpler English words benign or benevolent, and that's why benignant means 'kind' and 'gentle' today.