KINDLINESS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

kindliness

noun

ˈkīn(d)-lē-nəs

Definition of kindliness

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in tenderness

sympathetic concern for the well-being of others an elderly couple of modest means but infinite kindliness

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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 Internet wags have wondered whether Gunn’s kindliness extends to malevolent immigrants like General Zod. — Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindliness

Noun

Just a few days later, Navratilova spoke by phone about the film, the friendship and their cancer battles.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Bridget Foley, former executive editor of WWD, worked closely with Queen, and developed a deep friendship.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

Definition of friendship

Noun

Friends and colleagues contrasted her pugnacious political statements with her personal kindness and good humor.

— Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Acts of kindness are few and far between in the punishing Myanmar textile factory where young San Kyi (Nandar Myat Aung) makes a meager living, hunched over a sewing machine.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

Yes, the menu includes Attilio Marini’s famous steak cooked in a cast iron skillet for crispiness on the outside and tenderness inside.

— Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
Wood’s solo, punctuated by Jagger’s falsetto, delivers just the right amount of tenderness and soul.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Definition of tenderness

Noun

Research published by the Natural Hazards Center found that donors may be motivated by generosity, a desire to feel directly connected to survivors or an opportunity to clear unwanted items from their homes.

— Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
To be opening the show on Dolly’s 81st birthday is not only a celebration of a milestone, but of a life shaped by generosity, courage, and purpose that, in this moment, feels not only uplifting and inspiring, but essential.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 July 2026

Definition of generosity

Noun

Texans mourn Pancake Abbott's Instagram post announcing the news has garnered more than 700 comments as of July 10, with many offering their sympathies to the family.

— Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Last month, a US Air Force engineer won public sympathy after being charged with sawing down over a dozen Flock cameras, with his legal defense’s GoFundMe page quickly raising tens of thousands of dollars.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 July 2026

Definition of sympathy

Noun

What that collaboration has come up with is a new knife that pushes Opinel's classic profile to new heights in terms of user friendliness and features.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
The friendliness, the blue-sky, anything-is-possible thinking, and their love of this land.

— Priyanka Mattoo, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Definition of friendliness

Noun

On a much larger scale, psychedelic medicine could elevate our collective well-being and happiness, replacing systemic cycles of depression, anxiety, trauma and isolation with connectedness and compassion.

— Camille Hoffman, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
His journey in ‘Frame’ is about discovering where compassion fits within ambition and responsibility.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026

Definition of compassion

Noun

The cordiality and handsome looks of the dining room are exquisite reminders of elaborate Milanese design.

— John Mariani, Forbes.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Indianapolis didn't crack Nextdoor's list of the 20 friendliest cities in Indiana, but its separate ranking of neighborhoods in the Indy metro area finds plenty of cordiality in Central Indiana.

— Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026

Definition of cordiality

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kindlessly

kindliness

kindling

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“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of kindliness

noun

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