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kind

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noun

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kind people
generous people
friendly people
thoughtful people
helpful people
kind words
pleasant words
sweet words
gentle words
nice words
kind intentions
nice intentions
wholesome intentions
great intentions
decent intentions
pure intentions
a kind way
a generous way
a tender way
a gentle way
a sweet way
kind thoughts
good thoughts
positive thoughts
compassionate thoughts
gentle thoughts
pleasant thoughts

Synonym Chooser

How is the word kind distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of kind are character, description, nature, sort, and type. While all these words mean "a number of individuals thought of as a group because of a common quality or qualities," kind may suggest natural grouping.

a zoo seemingly having animals of every kind

Where would character be a reasonable alternative to kind?

The synonyms character and kind are sometimes interchangeable, but character implies a group marked by distinctive likenesses peculiar to the type.

research on the subject so far has been of an elementary character

When could description be used to replace kind?

While the synonyms description and kind are close in meaning, description implies a group marked by agreement in all details belonging to a type as described or defined.

not all acts of that description are actually illegal

When would nature be a good substitute for kind?

While in some cases nearly identical to kind, nature may imply inherent, essential resemblance rather than obvious or superficial likenesses.

two problems of a similar nature

When can sort be used instead of kind?

The words sort and kind can be used in similar contexts, but sort often suggests some disparagement.

the sort of newspaper dealing in sensational stories

When is it sensible to use type instead of kind?

Although the words type and kind have much in common, type may suggest strong and clearly marked similarity throughout the items included so that each is typical of the group.

one of three basic body types

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 kind
Adjective
The trip over the Florida peninsula was not kind to the would-be storm, which was disorganized, elongated and separated from the bulk of its rainstorm activity on Thursday morning. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025 During his first term in office, Trump wasn’t exactly kind to Meghan Markle, who was a working member of the royal family at the time. Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 15 July 2025
Noun
Somewhere, the man has to have a conscience of some kind. Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 July 2025 The collaboration is a first of its kind and will be facilitated by the growing fleet of Starlink satellites, which have revolutionized communications since their launch. Beck Andrew Salgado, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for kind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kind
Adjective
  • Companies like Google and Salesforce offer extensive parental leave programs, recognizing that supporting employees during one of life’s most significant milestones is not only compassionate but smart business.
    Will Fan, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • That means unlearning the language that perpetuates harm and stereotypes, and being more compassionate and humane across the board.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • While plaintiff opposition reflects legitimate concerns, these can be addressed with thoughtful defense strategies.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • With thoughtful policy and community input, towns can balance the need for homes with the imperative to protect the natural spaces that define their landscape and legacy.
    John Emmanuel, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Good starters are made up of the unique mix of benevolent dictator (someone has got to keep things moving), a maestro (there are a million different things at play; the starter gets them all to hopefully harmonize) and friend.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 10 July 2025
  • The act was sealed in a pronouncement by Princess Isabel, who became a President Lincoln-like figure in Brazil, known to many as the benevolent white liberator of the enslaved.
    Time, Time, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • The staff is also exceptionally attentive, and no detail is overlooked.
    Hannah Freedman, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
  • Under the colorful stalactites dripping from the round ceiling of Room XX, a sculpture by Spanish artist Miquel Barceló representing multiculturalism and tolerance, the room was full and attentive.
    Isabelle Mayault, The Dial, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Not long ago, my wife and I brought in our daughter, Alice, who’d been out of sorts for a couple of weeks.
    Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • There reportedly have been major discussions within WWE to move Knight to Raw as a fresh start of sorts, but for now, WWE’s happy medium is simply letting Knight appear on Monday nights without an official move to the red brand.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • For larger categories of individuals being considered to be pardoned, the Times reported, Biden did not approve every single name, but approved what standards would be used to figure out which people would get their sentences adjusted.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 2025
  • Criminal Justice Danielle Clark, Riverdale High: Natural leadership ability, dedication to her classes and commitment to club organizations like Skills USA Criminal Justice and JROTC led to Clark’s nomination and being the top vote-getter in the criminal justice category.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Young Sil is sympathetic, the result of an unethical science experiment.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025
  • Davenport is sympathetic to best-of-five giving women’s tennis a more even platform, but fears that critics of women’s tennis would still dig up something to find fault with.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • That’s what transforms support from a survival strategy into a genuine, caring choice.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • He's remembered as a caring father loved by everyone who knew him.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kind. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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