kindliness

noun

ˈkīn(d)-lē-nəs How to pronounce kindliness (audio)
Definition of kindlinessnext
1
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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2
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
  1. friendship
  2. kindness
  3. tenderness
  4. generosity
  5. sympathy
  6. friendliness
  7. compassion
  8. cordiality
Noun
  • That’s good, because healthy friendships can make kids happier, improve their self-esteem and resilience, and protect against loneliness and depression.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • On one level this may seem like pie in the sky, yet the seeds of all of these possibilities already exist, and are firmly planted at the small-scale level of family, friendship and community at the local and hyper-local level.
    — William Hartung, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • Life would not be the same without you, your vision, your kindness, your compassion, your love, your sexiness, your intelligence, your warmth, your friendship, your wisdom.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • Post Malone and comedian Michelle Buteau appear as members of the community who help demonstrate how even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference during recovery.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 30 July 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • For all the movie’s self-awareness, it’s filled with tenderness and humor.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
  • There’s also hints of vulnerability and genuine tenderness in her stern headmistress of the bedroom, which Wilde slips in just slyly enough to let the presence of a heart peek through all the brainy brashness and hormone overload.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • In my experience, companies that decline to run it voluntarily tend to end up running it under duress, with fewer options and less generosity available to their people.
    — Andrew Sorohan, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Sixteen first-time finishers received complimentary buckles through the generosity of Lynn Marks and Tom Noll, while five junior riders successfully completed the course.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • Trump has pardoned virtually all Capitol rioters and frequently expresses sympathy for them.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 31 July 2026
  • Before the recording was played, Judge William Sullivan warned jurors not to allow sympathy, anger, passion or pity to influence their verdict.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of sympathy
Noun
  • The city ranked 66th for pet budget, sixth for pet health and wellness, and 36th for outdoor pet-friendliness.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Primates napping next to another animal or playing with them offers no readily apparent rewards—suggesting that this innate curiosity and friendliness is more deeply ingrained in humanity’s evolutionary journey.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026
Definition of friendliness
Noun
  • The novel does not assign cruelty or compassion to any one community.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • This issue stems not from a lack of compassion from parents or health care professionals, but from systemic failures.
    — Anna Tsioulias, STAT, 29 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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Cite this Entry

“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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