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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others
an elderly couple of modest means but infinite kindliness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
Grandpa is hung-over,
grandma has run out of kindliness, Mom has post-traumatic
hostess stress.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2003
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
Grandpa is hung-over,
grandma has run out of kindliness, Mom has post-traumatic
hostess stress.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 26 Dec. 2003
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindliness
Noun
-
In the years since, Newsom’s friendship with billionaire Gordon Getty helped grow his wine business, PumpJack Group, into a successful multimillion dollar operation.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
The actor is still hesitant to detail the nuances of his friendship with Franco.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Choose quiet tonight, and refill the well with kindness gently.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
-
Froio was also praised by colleagues for her kindness, patience, ability to teach her staff and successfully manage a frenetic newsroom with an extremely calm demeanor.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
That kindness, tenderness and childlike wonder and joy is not weakness, but power.—
Cynthia Pelayo,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
That tenderness carried straight into the night.—
Emma Madden,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The characters’ stick-figure proportions feel all the more glaring next to the complexity and generosity of Jud, whose insistence on his innocence is clouded by the shadow of his guilty past.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
11 Dec. 2025
-
The National Commander of the Salvation Army told CBS News that historically, higher demand has often inspired greater generosity.—
Madisen Keavy,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Evan Jeffries, a physical therapist based in San Diego who breaks down injuries in all sports, not just football, has a bit more sympathy from his family.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Lonsdale’s response offered no sympathy.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
There’s the Swede promoting the power of ranch dressing, the Italians marveling at fountain drinks with ice and free refills, the English rhapsodizing over chicken parm and just about everyone shouting out the friendliness of the businesses that served them.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Keewaydin Island Keewaydin Island is an eight-mile-long, undeveloped barrier island located between Naples and Marco Island, known for its totally unspoiled white-sand beaches and dog-friendliness.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
With compassion and urgency, the film captures a New Orleans community’s determination to preserve its identity in the face of a disappearing homeland.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
This compassion was unacceptable to the State of New Jersey.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
One of the institute’s medical personnel, Farah (Kate Dickie), greets them with the kind of clinical cordiality that undercuts its outwardly soothing welcome with unnerving detachment.—
Jake Cole,
IndieWire,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Visuals of exaggerated cordiality between the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and President Xi Jinping of China at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on September 1 displayed China’s convening power.—
Shyam Saran,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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