1
: the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity
must look out for your own welfare
2
a
: aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need
b
: an agency or program through which such aid is distributed
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with welfare and especially with improvement of the welfare of disadvantaged social groups
welfare legislation
2
: receiving public welfare benefits
welfare families
Synonyms
Examples of welfare in a Sentence
Noun
He wants to do away with welfare.
I have your welfare at heart.
The welfare of all the orphans was at stake.
She donates to organizations concerned about animal welfare.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Gilbert police were investigating two bodies found inside a home after a welfare check on Sunday.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Jamaica’s Child Protection and Family Services Agency removed eight American boys, ages 14 to 18, in February from Atlantis Leadership Academy, along the southern coast of the island country, after abuse allegations came to light during an unannounced welfare check.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Halfway there, Hopkins decided to call the police to do a welfare check.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024
His story, from his tenure on the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations to the meticulous restoration of the historic Elijah Stearns Mansion, demonstrates a life dedicated to elevating industry standards and community welfare.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Arlington police, firefighters and medics responded to the Bardin Green Apartments at around 12:45 a.m. that morning to conduct the welfare check.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024
Two days before appearing in court, deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office were called to a Reily Township home for a welfare check, according to Butler County court records.
—Ken Brown, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
Some commenters may be acting out of genuine concern for animal welfare, but their moral case is limited.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024
John Harwood, CNN, 19 Sep. 2021
Starting near the end of the last century, the rhetoric of business-minded reform increasingly cloaked the politics of deregulation, anti-welfare cutbacks, and austerity.
—Kyle Edward Williams, The New Republic, 9 Dec. 2020
Layers of state bureaucracy, outdated computer systems, and, in some states, anti-welfare attitudes kept timely help out of the reach of many.
—Tracey Lindeman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2020
Even overtly welfare-ish Medicaid payments—originally intended to provide care for poor children—now go largely to long-term care for mainly middle-class elderly.
—Eric B. Schnurer, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2017
Noun
Monday, Zionsville police officers were called about 11:30 a.m. to the 5300 block of West Old 106th Street to conduct a welfare check on a woman.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Gilbert police were investigating two bodies found inside a home after a welfare check on Sunday.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
Jamaica’s Child Protection and Family Services Agency removed eight American boys, ages 14 to 18, in February from Atlantis Leadership Academy, along the southern coast of the island country, after abuse allegations came to light during an unannounced welfare check.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Halfway there, Hopkins decided to call the police to do a welfare check.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2024
His story, from his tenure on the Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations to the meticulous restoration of the historic Elijah Stearns Mansion, demonstrates a life dedicated to elevating industry standards and community welfare.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Arlington police, firefighters and medics responded to the Bardin Green Apartments at around 12:45 a.m. that morning to conduct the welfare check.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2024
Two days before appearing in court, deputies with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office were called to a Reily Township home for a welfare check, according to Butler County court records.
—Ken Brown, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024
Some commenters may be acting out of genuine concern for animal welfare, but their moral case is limited.
—Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Moderate Democrats fear pro-welfare and anti-business labels.
—John Harwood, CNN, 19 Sep. 2021
Starting near the end of the last century, the rhetoric of business-minded reform increasingly cloaked the politics of deregulation, anti-welfare cutbacks, and austerity.
—Kyle Edward Williams, The New Republic, 9 Dec. 2020
Layers of state bureaucracy, outdated computer systems, and, in some states, anti-welfare attitudes kept timely help out of the reach of many.
—Tracey Lindeman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2020
Even overtly welfare-ish Medicaid payments—originally intended to provide care for poor children—now go largely to long-term care for mainly middle-class elderly.
—Eric B. Schnurer, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'welfare.' 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 welfare
Cite this Entry
“Welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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