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
-
Watching friendships play out on screen has always been riveting, as evidenced by the success of the Leslie Bibb/Carrie Coon/Michelle Monaghan storyline on The White Lotus last season.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As friendships between lonely men so often do, Gary and Ennis start to game out what their plans would be if there ever were a zombie apocalypse.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
They are known for their incredible kindness and hospitality, which says a lot given the centrality of hospitality to Iranian culture more broadly.—
Talla Mountjoy,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Children begin recognizing things like kindness, persistence or generosity as reasons to feel proud.—
Reem Raouda,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of one or both parotid glands, which can cause puffy cheeks and tenderness along the jaw.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
News of the outfielder’s (alleged) positive PED test and his (pending) full-season suspension hit with all the tenderness of a two-buck tenderloin.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some respondents urged generosity regardless of the service model.—
Ryan Brennan
March 12,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Some respondents framed it as a moral question, arguing generosity should be the default regardless of service level.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The official had little sympathy for Amodei’s position, which all but explicitly stated that his arbitrary contractual stipulations were the only acceptable bulwark against government impunity.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Our sympathy and thoughts are with their family and friends.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Top providers were selected for specific strengths like high coverage caps, budget-friendliness, and the ability to choose your own technician.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Attendees praised the variety of exhibitors, and the friendliness and accessibility of the businesses on-site.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
February 19 – March 20 When compassion meets structure, your path steadies.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Hughes' widow is now asking for compassion for the students involved.—
Jamal Goss,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Liberated from this approach to economic warfare, relations with allies may recover some of their former cordiality.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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