1
as in friendship
kindly concern, interest, or support
was touched by the kindliness of his neighbors, who voluntarily took care of his dog while he was in the hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in kindness
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune
as a result of her kindliness, several poor families have the makings for a Thanksgiving feast
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others
an elderly couple of modest means but infinite kindliness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kindliness
What was needed was a distanced kindliness—patience, an acknowledgment of the mess that was unfolding, an explanation of a way through, a reiteration of the soundness of the larger vision.
—
Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2021
Augustus didn’t emerge from uncertain beginnings and civil war through kindliness and good deeds; nor did Jahangir win the throne by patience and piety.
—Maxwell Carter, WSJ, 13 July 2018
Weinberg’s memoir doesn’t aspire to the depth of Feeney’s study, but its fealty and kindliness have their own appeal.
—Thomas Mallon, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2018
Grandpa is hung-over,
grandma has run out of kindliness, Mom has post-traumatic
hostess stress.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2003
Mr. McCartney was the exception, radiating aw-shucks kindliness and preaching heartfelt peace and love in many of his songs.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2021
Augustus didn’t emerge from uncertain beginnings and civil war through kindliness and good deeds; nor did Jahangir win the throne by patience and piety.
—Maxwell Carter, WSJ, 13 July 2018
Weinberg’s memoir doesn’t aspire to the depth of Feeney’s study, but its fealty and kindliness have their own appeal.
—Thomas Mallon, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2018
Grandpa is hung-over,
grandma has run out of kindliness, Mom has post-traumatic
hostess stress.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2003
Mr. McCartney was the exception, radiating aw-shucks kindliness and preaching heartfelt peace and love in many of his songs.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindliness
Noun
-
In With Love, Markle is joined by celebrity friends like Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, and Alice Waters, who share personal tips and tricks, as Markle showcases the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
4 Mar. 2025
-
An exhibition in Paris spotlights the unique friendship between the two designers who epitomized ’80s glamour with their sinuous creations.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond baseball, Art was known for his kindness, humor, and deep appreciation for the people around him.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
9 Mar. 2025
-
And for Katelyn, the internet's kindness has arrived exactly at the right time.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Friedland builds her drama through sharp honesty, and tough as its material may be, few films are so tonally flexible, so able to turn on a dime: stray moments of tenderness, humility, even absurdity poke through, with a love and care for Ruth shown by characters and creators alike.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2025
-
That means taking off your shoe and sock and checking for any sign of injury such as any tenderness, swelling, bruising, deformity, laceration or bones sticking through the skin.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Inspired by the Bedouin tradition of generosity, which involves welcoming guests with food, drink, and open hospitality, Killa sought to evoke the feeling of being invited into a private home or aboard a luxurious yacht.—
Katharina Kotrba,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
But, the most remarkable outpouring of generosity has come from the workers themselves, engaging in collective action to assist their colleagues.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Much like filmmaking, which is perhaps why the movie finds sympathy in a tale of concession and economic exploitation.—
Matt Shaw,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Trump certainly lacks admiration for the liberal order’s achievements and sympathy for its basic ethos.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The big picture: Trump's friendliness toward Putin isn't a new phenomenon.—
Dave Lawler,
Axios,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Eschewing cult-leader cliché for a plummy everyday friendliness that eventually circles round to sinister, Ben Whishaw cleverly plays Elon as equal parts guru and grifter: His counsel is sometimes obvious, but what the person needs to hear just the same.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope Aries (March 21 - April 19) Driven by compassion?—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
-
And everything with her is effortless compassion and empathy.—
C. R. Walker,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Such cordiality was impossible this time, and Dirk Hauser — head of media for Bayern’s academy then and to this day — had to keep the two men apart, in different parts of the old stadium.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Hold on to your butts, Samuel L. Jackson is coming after awards season cordiality.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
28 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share