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
Relevance
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
-
During a recent appearance on the Good Guys podcast, the actor, 62, gushed over his fellow Full House alum Lori Loughlin and their longtime friendship.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
When a band or artist becomes part of friendship lore, that’s resonance.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the end, even kindness comes with a price tag.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Likewise, the children of the late Minnesota Speaker of the House who was gunned down last summer, Melissa Hortman, also reminded us that the only way out is to treat each other with kindness and respect—a useful message for our political leaders and fellow citizens to heed.—
Time,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
From viral skits to personal storytelling, Alexandra Madison and Jon Bouffard have become a powerful presence in the TikTok universe, drawing in millions with an intimate blend of humor, transparency, and everyday tenderness.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
-
External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, tend to cause itching, tenderness and swelling that can make any sitting uncomfortable.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
When Balistreri's Bluemound Inn posted the news on Facebook, customers and former employees replied to that posting with fond memories and praise for the restaurateur's warmth and generosity.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Your generosity to his siblings in times of need has nothing to do with him.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Following Irwin’s death, musicians like Kacey Musgraves, Ed Sheeran, Jon Bon Jovi and Margo Price all took to social media to express their sympathies.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Federline feels bad for her — but there is a limit to that sympathy, in part because of her alleged mistreatment of their sons.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The city's hospital system also ranked eighth overall, and Minneapolis was 34th in retiree-friendliness.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Oct. 2025
-
There's certain momentum, there's a warmth, a genuine friendliness.—
Molly Davis,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With trust and engagement at an all-time low, companies need to help leaders strengthen human skills such as self-awareness, clear communication, and compassion.—
Rasmus Hougaard,
Harvard Business Review,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Jane tried so hard for so many years to spread her message of hope and compassion.—
Lisa Wade,
Mercury News,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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