benignly
gb/bənˈaɪnli/ us/bənˈaɪnli/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a kind, gentle way
in a kind and gentle way
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] smiles/speaks/looks benignly (at [someone])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think it always means “not cancerous”; in everyday contexts it often means “kind” or “gentle.”
Synonymes
kindly (More common and less formal.)
|
gently (Emphasizes softness rather than goodwill.)
|
warmly (Suggests friendliness and enthusiasm.)
Antonymes
harshly (In a rough or severe way, not gentle.)
|
cruelly (With intention to hurt, opposite of well-meaning.)
|
sternly (Strict and serious rather than gentle.)
Collocations
smile benignly
|look benignly
|speak benignly
|nod benignly
|benignly at someone
|benignly toward someone
|benignly amused
|benignly tolerant
|benignly reassuring
|benignly humorous
Thèmes
emotions
|social
Exemples
- She listened benignly as he tried to explain what had happened.
- The doctor smiled benignly and told him not to worry.
- He replied benignly, trying to put her at ease.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She smiled benignly at the child.
- He spoke benignly to his team.
adverb
technical
C1
property
2
in a harmless, non-dangerous way
without causing harm
Schéma d’usage :
[something] behaves/progresses/develops benignly
Erreur fréquente :
In medical English, this sense is related to “benign” meaning “not harmful / not cancerous,” but it can also be used more generally for “not dangerous.”
Synonymes
harmlessly (Most direct everyday equivalent.)
|
innocuously (Often implies something seems unimportant or unobtrusive.)
Antonymes
dangerously (In a way that risks harm or serious consequences.)
|
harmfully (In a way that causes damage or injury.)
Collocations
behave benignly
|progress benignly
|develop benignly
|remain benignly stable
|react benignly
|run benignly
|benignly affected
|benignly in most cases
|benignly without treatment
|benignly under observation
Thèmes
health
|science
Exemples
- In most patients, the condition progresses benignly and resolves on its own.
- These growths typically behave benignly and do not spread.
- At low concentrations, the substance reacts benignly with water.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The illness usually progresses benignly.
- The change affected the system benignly.
adverb
formal
C1
property
3
in a mild, pleasant way
in a mild and pleasant way
Schéma d’usage :
[weather/conditions] remain benignly [adjective]
Synonymes
mildly (More common; does not necessarily imply pleasantness.)
|
pleasantly (Emphasizes enjoyment rather than low severity.)
Antonymes
severely (In a harsh or intense way.)
|
harshly (Unpleasantly and severely.)
Collocations
benignly warm
|benignly mild
|benignly calm
|benignly sunny
|benignly stable conditions
|benignly cool
|benignly temperate
|benignly favorable
|benignly settled weather
|benignly quiet
Thèmes
weather
|daily_life
Exemples
- The winter passed benignly, with little snow and few storms.
- After days of rain, the weather turned benignly warm and bright.
- For a while, market conditions remained benignly stable.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The weather stayed benignly mild.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
benignly
API
GB/bənˈaɪnli/
US/bənˈaɪnli/
Syllabes et accentuation
be - nignly (2 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (nignly)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: benignly
- Plural: benignlies
Famille de mots
Expressions
benignly disposed (toward/to) [someone/something]
1/bənˈaɪnli dɪspˈoʊzd tˈaʊɚdtoʊ sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
generally friendly in attitude
generally friendly or approving
Exemples
- The new supervisor seemed benignly disposed toward flexible working.
- Voters were benignly disposed to the plan after the changes were explained.
look benignly on/upon [someone/something]
1/lˈʊk bənˈaɪnli ənəpən sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
view with kind tolerance
to think something is acceptable and not criticize it
Exemples
- The committee looked benignly upon the proposal and raised no objections.
- Her parents looked benignly on his decision to change careers.
smile benignly
1/smˈaɪl bənˈaɪnli/
fixed phrase
smile gently and kindly
to smile in a kind way
Exemples
- She smiled benignly at the children as they played.
- He smiled benignly, as if the question amused him.