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Benign vs Benevolent - What's the difference?

benign | benevolent |

As adjectives the difference between benign and benevolent

is that benign is kind; gentle; mild while benevolent is having a disposition to do good.

benign

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Kind; gentle; mild.
  • * (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
  • * not harmful to the environment: [in combination] an ozone-benign refrigerant.
  • (medicine) Not posing any serious threat to health; not particularly aggressive or recurrent.

    • Antonyms

    * malign * malignant

    Derived terms

    * benignly * benignant * benignity * benign neglect * benign tumor

    benevolent

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having a disposition to do good.
    • Chinese and Eastern mythologies describe dragons as benevolent .
  • Possessing or manifesting love for mankind.
  • altruistic, charitable, good, just and fair.
  • generous.

    • Antonyms

    * malevolent

    See also

    * benevolence * benevolently * benevolentness