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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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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
  • The two wives soon strike up a tentative friendship as Ye-ji expresses interest in telling Ho-seok’s story — but the group dynamic grows increasingly complicated by their extreme class differences and subtly conflicting desires.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Another chapter digs into Ronson’s rocky friendship with the comedy writer Graham Linehan, whose involvement in the gender-critical movement led him to act out online in ways that Ronson reads as self-destructive.
    — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of friendship
Noun
  • Following her death, Eloise’s family established the Living for Lulu Foundation to continue her legacy by encouraging kindness and helping animals in need.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • My mother, Cynthia, taught me to go through life with both relentless ambition and kindness.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • Prison is a place of survival and yes, the book is very keen on studying the ability to retain one’s tenderness in conditions that are intentional about callusing them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Few contemporary filmmakers so richly explore the concept of tenderness quite like Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • New Yorkers put their generosity and sense of community on display, helping fuel a long and difficult climb not just to rebuild, but to reckon with what had happened.
    — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • It has been accumulated over generations through millions of acts of service and generosity.
    — Brian Peckrill, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • With a hot war raging in Ukraine, these journalists don’t want to ask for anyone’s sympathy, which in turn heightens their alienation and frustration.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But, again, sympathy with either club should be in short supply.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of sympathy
Noun
  • The ribbing was good-natured overall, but when describing the rivalry, the friendliness dissipated.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Overbearing friendliness might even be described as our national affect.
    — Jonathan A. Czin, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of friendliness
Noun
  • Several of my favorite poetry collections capture the nuanced process of breaking up, with its extreme states of longing, anger, and sorrow—while also expanding the capacity for joy, pleasure, and compassion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Your compassion turns into practical care as you tidy receipts, then release a worry that never helped.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 17 Sep. 2026.

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