well-meant

IPA/ˌwel ˈment/
IPA/ˌwel ˈment/

well-meant — adjective

1. describes words or actions offered with good intentions, even when the result is

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes words or actions offered with good intentions, even when the result is not helpful or causes harm.

Example

Diya's well-meant advice about money only made her brother feel ashamed.

collocation: well-meant advice

João accepted the well-meant criticism, though the suggestion itself was unworkable.

Synonyms
  • well-intentioned

    almost identical in meaning; slightly more formal and can describe both people and actions

  • well-meaning

    very close; more commonly used for people, but applies to actions as well

  • benevolent

    more formal; suggests a generous or charitable nature, often used for institutions or powerful figures

Antonyms
  • malicious

    done with the intention of causing harm or distress

  • ill-intentioned

    having or showing bad intentions; more formal

Usage Note

This adjective describes actions, words, or gestures — not people. To describe a person, use 'well-meaning' or 'well-intentioned' instead.

Common Mistakes

She is a well-meant person.
She is a well-meaning person.
'well-meant' describes actions or words, not people.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Well-meant, well-meaning, and well-intentioned are very close in meaning and often used interchangeably. The key difference is that well-meant almost always describes actions, remarks, or gestures ('a well-meant suggestion'), whereas well-meaning and well-intentioned can describe both people and their actions. Well-intentioned carries a slightly more formal tone and often appears in written contexts. Benevolent is a step further — it implies a deep-seated generosity or charitable disposition, and is more likely to describe an institution, ruler, or ongoing attitude rather than a single remark. Choose well-meant when the focus is on how a particular action or word was received; choose well-meaning or well-intentioned when characterising the person behind it.

well-meaning ↗well-intentioned ↗benevolent ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from 'well' (adverb, 'in a good or satisfactory way') and 'meant' (past participle of 'mean'). The compound follows the Old English pattern of 'well-' plus a past participle, seen also in well-known, well-made, and well-spoken. It first appeared in English writing in the late 15th century.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above