KIND Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

kind 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of kind next

as in compassionate

having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others a kind person who regularly volunteers at the homeless shelter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

kind

2 of 2

noun

ˈkīnd

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

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

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

How is the word kind distinct from other similar nouns?

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

Pat was a rare kind of person—brilliantly talented, endlessly kind, and generous in spirit. —

Ellise Shafer, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026 There’s kind a shortage of true Y tight ends that can do both and block. —

ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026

Noun

Photographs of the defendant’s hands and torso show no wounds of any kind, nor do the victim’s beyond the three gunshot wounds that killed him. —

Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 The survival of the lake – the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere – has been a priority for Utah leaders over the last several years. —

Saige Miller, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kind

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kind

Adjective

When delivered as intended, hospice remains one of the most compassionate and effective models of care in our healthcare system.

— Tom Koutsoumpas, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
Much of this slick drama is a meditation on the differences between how baby boomers — in this case, an old hippy turned seemingly compassionate sage — talk and operate, and how that clashes with the language and moral urgency felt by a very different millennial generation.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Definition of compassionate

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kind

kindergarten

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“Kind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kind. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of kind

adjective

noun

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What does 'nice' mean, anyway?

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Why do we park in the driveway and drive on the parkway?

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