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
-
When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The complex friendship between Conkling and Arthur is no less engrossing.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Squid Game is an elimination game, but there are these moments of deep altruism and kindness even amongst it.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The space is charming, and the entire team radiates warmth and kindness.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
What surprised me most about her — or what was revealed in me through her — was tenderness.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Flaky buttermilk biscuits meet the sweet tenderness of cornbread in this bake.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Traditional holiday themes of generosity, salvation, and tradition are mostly absent here.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The home and collection were simply stunning, and her generosity in hosting a private viewing for our Women’s Fund gave us rare, unrushed time with the work.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In a 2017 oral history of the notorious scene, One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn recalled that the origins of the scene lay in the idea of cultivating some sympathy for the villainous Dan.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Viewers were quick to share their sympathy for the gentle dog.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Finance website WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities in America, looking at 19 key indicators of livability, affordability and veteran-friendliness in a new report published on Monday.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
For people like Wasefi, with sisters and nieces back home, no amount of tourist-friendliness can compensate for this disaster.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The human element, the essence of trust and compassion, is exactly where AI stumbles.—
Dr. Nicholas Cozzi,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Another commenter took a softer approach, encouraging compassion while still supporting the woman’s feelings.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 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
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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 16 Nov. 2025.
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