Synonyms of kind

kind 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in compassionate

having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others

a kind person who regularly volunteers at the homeless shelter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compassionate
• benevolent
• thoughtful
• sympathetic
• gentle
• kindly
• humane
• nice
• gracious
• friendly
• generous
• kindhearted
• sweet
• good
• merciful
• beneficent
• pleasant
• benignant
• warmhearted
• tender
• good-hearted
• attentive
• humanitarian
• considerate
• tenderhearted
• patient
• warm
• softhearted
• mild
• benign
• solicitous
• good-natured
• neighborly
• soft
• genial
• cordial
• noble
• affable
• charitable
• pitying
• companionable
• liberal
• forgiving
• lenient
• understanding
• tolerant
• amicable
• comradely
• forbearing
• magnanimous
• philanthropic
• selfless
• altruistic
• unselfish
• brotherly
• munificent
• good-tempered
• unsparing
• openhearted
• clement
• greathearted
• freehanded
• anticruelty
• cruelty-free

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cruel
• brutal
• vicious
• unkind
• savage
• inhuman
• sadistic
• callous
• heartless
• brute
• barbarous
• barbaric
• atrocious
• inhumane
• bestial
• unsympathetic
• ruthless
• truculent
• unfeeling
• brutish
• fiendish
• merciless
• pitiless
• insensate
• severe
• thoughtless
• insensitive
• tough
• unthinking
• harsh
• inconsiderate
• grim
• uncaring
• stern
• wanton
• cold-blooded
• mean
• unkindly
• uncompassionate
• hard-hearted
• malignant
• malicious
• virulent
• hateful
• spiteful
• malevolent
• nasty
• unsentimental
• malign
• ironhearted
• stonyhearted
• uncharitable
• heavy-handed
• hard-boiled
• antihumanitarian

2

as in thoughtful

given to or made with heedful anticipation of the needs and happiness of others

providing the grieving widow with a homemade meal was a kind deed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• thoughtful
• attentive
• caring
• considerate
• respectful
• gracious
• generous
• solicitous
• hospitable
• good
• helpful
• nice
• gallant
• polite
• kindly
• compassionate
• neighborly
• sympathetic
• diplomatic
• brotherly
• kindhearted
• courteous
• benevolent
• chivalrous
• tactful
• courtly
• tender
• good-hearted
• dutiful
• charitable
• selfless
• humane
• deferential
• altruistic
• unselfish
• magnanimous
• beneficent
• obliging
• regardful
• benignant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• thoughtless
• unthinking
• inconsiderate
• heedless
• unkind
• uncaring
• inattentive
• inhospitable
• rude
• unkindly
• impolite
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• mean
• unheeding
• malicious
• unhelpful
• malevolent
• spiteful
• ill-mannered
• ill-bred

kind

2 of 2

noun

ˈkīnd 

1

as in type

a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common

I like that kind of candy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• type
• sort
• genre
• stripe
• variety
• breed
• nature
• description
• manner
• species
• kidney
• like
• class
• strain
• ilk
• persuasion
• feather
• order
• category
• model
• group
• family
• sample
• specimen
• grouping
• bracket
• suite
• set
• bunch
• lot
• grade
• division
• rank(s)

2

as in category

one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic

we looked at just about every kind of flooring before deciding which to use in the kitchen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• type
• category
• sort
• group
• tier
• variety
• family
• classification
• class
• species
• section
• genus
• generation
• set
• bracket
• rank(s)
• league
• breed
• grade
• rubric
• division
• order
• description
• manner
• nature
• kidney
• subdivision
• subgroup
• specialty
• like
• race
• subspecies
• ilk
• branch
• feather
• speciality
• subclass
• label
• heading
• title

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

Recent Examples of kind

Adjective

Be kind, be humble, and have some fun…Be a diamond in a rhinestone world. — Jose Fabian, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Some of the comments could have been kinder or more civil, but many others are both instructive and nuanced. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

The kind that takes a blank page and conjures a single right answer where there was none and has held audiences for a century. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Dann and her staff have led corporate team-building events, visited day care centers for art activities, and hosts birthday parties and showers of all kinds. — Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing kind

• kind of