BENIGNLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does benignly mean? 

• BENIGNLY (adverb)
  The adverb BENIGNLY has 1 sense:

1. in a benign manner

  Familiarity information: BENIGNLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BENIGNLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a benign manner

Synonyms:

benignantly; benignly

Context example:

this drug is benignly soporific

Pertainym:

benign (pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence)

 Context examples 

I did not quite perceive the application of this fact to myself, but I smiled on Mrs. Crupp, as benignly as was in my power.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The lake seemed to wash away the troubles of the past, and the grand old mountains to look benignly down upon them saying, "Little children, love one another."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Superficially located histiocytic lesions behave benignly but deep, benign histiocytomas may invade locally into surrounding tissue.

(Benign Fibrous Histiocytoma, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

"Go on, go on!" added Winkle and Tupman, while the President bowed benignly.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Of course, there were many light-footed, shrill-voiced American girls, handsome, lifeless-looking English ditto, and a few plain but piquante French demoiselles, likewise the usual set of traveling young gentlemen who disported themselves gaily, while mammas of all nations lined the walls and smiled upon them benignly when they danced with their daughters.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Returning from one of Mozart's grand operas, splendidly performed at the Royal Theatre, he looked over his own, played a few of the best parts, sat staring at the busts of Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and Bach, who stared benignly back again.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)