1
as in judge
a public official having authority to decide questions of law
appealed to the bench for leniency
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in tribunal
an assembly of persons for the administration of justice
a ruling from the bench is expected any day now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of bench
The campaign will also target a deep bench of guest actors for the upcoming sophomore season.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Houston led by 23 with about 7½ minutes remaining when coach JJ Redick cleared the Lakers' bench.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
The governor will appoint the judges to the county bench instead.
—Norine Dworkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
The electronic monitoring arrangement dates back to December 2025, when a bench trial had been scheduled for the case but continued by agreement, court records show.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Houston led by 23 with about 7½ minutes remaining when coach JJ Redick cleared the Lakers' bench.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
The governor will appoint the judges to the county bench instead.
—Norine Dworkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
The electronic monitoring arrangement dates back to December 2025, when a bench trial had been scheduled for the case but continued by agreement, court records show.
—Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bench
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bench
Noun
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Relatives of the defendant, about a half dozen of whom watched from the gallery at his arraignment, cheered the judge’s decision to cut Alexander loose.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The probe had been crippled by a federal judge's ruling quashing subpoenas her office issued to the Federal Reserve related to a multi-billion-dollar renovation of its headquarters in Washington.—
Sean Conlon,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In 2021, Peru’s electoral tribunal proclaimed first-round results 37 days after the April 11 vote.—
Franklin Briceño,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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On Christmas Day, a military tribunal sentenced him to death and executed him by firing squad.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The court rejected the argument, concluding that a prospective rate hearing — unlike that on the response time — would be considered contested and the utility would have the opportunity to challenge the finding of imprudence then.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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The court struck down that portion of the legislation, a move that infuriated Cindy's family.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bench.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bench. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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