well-meaning
adjective
well-mean·ing
ˈwel-ˈmē-niŋ 
1
: having good intentions
well-meaning but misguided idealists
2
: based on good intentions
well-meaning advice
Examples of well-meaning in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But eventually that changed, with what Kelman called well-meaning laws to protect the environment and give people more control over what kind of housing was built in their neighborhoods.
—
Alena Botros, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
But our cultural misunderstanding of eating disorders, even by well-meaning practitioners, could exacerbate the illnesses for those who suffer from them—and have dire consequences.
—Cole Kazdin, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
Our research focused on what drives this skepticism of allies, and how well-meaning allies might do better.
—Preeti Vani, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Girls State is a sharp study of how a well-meaning civics program can simultaneously inspire and limit young women.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
The tales are often boring, marked by a well-meaning blandness — by an avoidance of uncomfortable truths.
—Kabir Chibber, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
At their best, EAs are well-meaning people who aspire to rigorous analysis.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
When users don’t trust a platform, even well-meaning attempts to make things better can make things worse.
—Scott Duke Kominers, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
Hur concluded a jury would find Biden a well-meaning old man who was forgetful.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
Alena Botros, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024
But our cultural misunderstanding of eating disorders, even by well-meaning practitioners, could exacerbate the illnesses for those who suffer from them—and have dire consequences.
—Cole Kazdin, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
Our research focused on what drives this skepticism of allies, and how well-meaning allies might do better.
—Preeti Vani, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Girls State is a sharp study of how a well-meaning civics program can simultaneously inspire and limit young women.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024
The tales are often boring, marked by a well-meaning blandness — by an avoidance of uncomfortable truths.
—Kabir Chibber, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
At their best, EAs are well-meaning people who aspire to rigorous analysis.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024
When users don’t trust a platform, even well-meaning attempts to make things better can make things worse.
—Scott Duke Kominers, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
Hur concluded a jury would find Biden a well-meaning old man who was forgetful.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'well-meaning.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near well-meaning
Cite this Entry
“Well-meaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/well-meaning. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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