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
-
Andrew quit public life in 2019 over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein but makes occasional appearances at private family events, usually at church.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
King Charles’ brother, Prince Andrew, has been tainted by his own friendship with Epstein.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Having a solid structure in place can allow kindness to thrive without compromising the performance of your team or operations.—
Roxana Diaconu,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Your loving kindness stays with me.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then Danielle and Michèle dance, with a casual tenderness belying how charged the moment is for Michèle.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The scene is a familiar one in these kinds of tales of regression, but Apatow imbues it with a tenderness.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Through these tactics, Iftiu is trying to pay forward the generosity he's received within the system.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Alongside framing a poetics of wonder and wander, the writings across this trinity of works give us glimpses into how the world taught Oliver to love, a generosity revealed in what has sometimes been seen as lack.—
Natalie Diaz
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Last season, Kelly doing something like this probably earned little sympathy from LSU fans because the Tigers underperformed.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Characters like Sophie, who decide against parenthood, are portrayed with sympathy and respect; but so too are the relationships between parents and children, which the game presents as meaningful.—
G Kirilloff,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the South, friendliness is not a passing state but a way of life.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Next year, this historic eatery celebrates 80 years of serving tasty, homestyle fare with neighborly friendliness.—
Sarah Kuta,
Denver Post,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Lead for Influence and Impact Offer stability and clarity, integrity and transparency as well as empathy and compassion.—
Tracy Brower,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
In the clip, the Mexican-American singer talks about the importance of having compassion and helping her community, while also visiting a local supermarket and paying for the groceries of many strangers.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
13 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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