kindness

noun

kind·​ness ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being kind

treating people with kindness and respect

2

: a kind deed : favor

They did me a great kindness.

3

archaic : affection

Synonyms of kindness

• tenderness
• generosity
• humaneness
• attentiveness
• warmth
• benevolence
• beneficence
• kindliness
• kindheartedness
• tenderheartedness

Examples of kindness in a Sentence

We thanked her for her many kindnesses.

You would be doing me a great kindness if you agreed to help.

Recent Examples on the Web

The radiant Sun conjoins fanciful Neptune in your 7th House of Interdependence, adding extra kindness to your imagination, so boundaries and bonds can both feel easier and more creative. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026

And love is sacrifice, service, kindness, and grace. —Faith Salie, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Theroux’s kindness-first approach, typically an asset, becomes a liability when dealing with subjects to whom compassion is coded as weakness and then weaponized for content. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026

As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing kindness

• kill (someone) with kindness
• loving-kindness
• milk of human kindness
• out of the kindness of one's heart
• the milk of human kindness

Rhymes for kindness

• blindness
• unkindness

Kids Definition

kindness

noun

kind·​ness ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

1

: a kind deed : favor

returned his kindness

2

: the quality or state of being kind

treat others with kindness