benevolent assimilation

noun

The assimilation of a group of foreigners by absorbing them into a new culture, with the primary stated reason being that it is an act of benevolence.

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Meanings

nounbenevolent assimilation (countable and uncountable, plural benevolent assimilations)

plural benevolent assimilations

  1. PhilippinesUScountablehistoricaluncountableThe assimilation of a group of foreigners by absorbing them into a new culture, with the primary stated reason being that it is an act of benevolence.
    1 more example

    Finally, it should be the earnest wish and paramount aim of the military administration to win the confidence, respect, and affection of the inhabitants of the Philippines by assuring them in every possible way that full measure of individual rights and liberties which is the heritage of free peoples, and by proving to them that the mission of the United States is one of Benevolent Assimilation substituting the mild sway of justice and right for arbitrary rule.

    1898, William McKinley, December 21

Origin

Coined in 1898 by President William McKinley justifying the invasion of the Philippines.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

benevolent assimilation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/benevolent%20assimilation

MLA

“benevolent assimilation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/benevolent%20assimilation. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “benevolent assimilation,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/benevolent%20assimilation.

Source: benevolent assimilation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.