1
as in kind
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpful
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being
a vegetarian diet can be very kindly to a person hoping to lose a few pounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in nicely
with good reason or courtesy
would you kindly hand me the scissors?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretty
chiefly Southern
to some degree or extent
their visit was kindly a surprise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kindly
Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 July 2025
Dave, a former firefighter, needs the help, because there are two serial arsonists — called the Divide & Conquer arsonist and the Milk Jug arsonist — active in the city, and his kindly boss, Greg Kinnear‘s Harvey Englehart, is getting impatient.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
While the initial criticism could’ve been framed more kindly, turning the tables is hardly an effective way to rectify the situation.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
Adjective
The kindly matriarch wins over Amélie by feeding her white chocolate, and thus a first human connection is made.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 July 2025
Dave, a former firefighter, needs the help, because there are two serial arsonists — called the Divide & Conquer arsonist and the Milk Jug arsonist — active in the city, and his kindly boss, Greg Kinnear‘s Harvey Englehart, is getting impatient.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025
Adverb
Self-compassion was gauged by how kindly people treat themselves in difficult moments.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
While the initial criticism could’ve been framed more kindly, turning the tables is hardly an effective way to rectify the situation.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindly
Adjective
-
Despite the genre's themes, horror fans describe their community as kind, open-minded, and welcoming.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Hearing so many kind words this rapidly leaves Kalkbrenner grateful.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Flushing the eye with a sterile saline solution, making sure to get under your eyelids, can be helpful.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
-
While many of the messages were thoughtful and genuinely helpful, some ended up adding to the stress of an already uncertain situation.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Marcus Foligno scored the game-winning short-handed goal on a second-period breakaway and Jesper Wallstedt settled in nicely after allowing two early goals with 26 saves, including nine on the power play.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The offensive line -- playing with backups Cole Strange and Larry Borom on the right side -- acquitted itself nicely Monday.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The matches are pretty violent, with nasty punches to the face and vicious knees to the head.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Everyone was pretty nervous, and there were a lot of things to care for and think about, but as time went by during the tour, everyone felt more at ease, and everyone seemed more relaxed.—
Crystal Bell,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Through the compassionate yet rigorous structures of restorative justice and the generosity of two people who might have spent their lives hating him, Dunne changed course.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
-
When dads model respect and emotional awareness at home, their kids—and their coworkers—benefit from stronger, more compassionate leadership.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If your microbiome is unbalanced between beneficial and harmful microbes, probiotics can help introduce healthy microbes back into your body.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Abuja published guidance on how the private sector should work with government agencies to tackle financial crimes, and Pretoria has strengthened legislation on the disclosure of beneficial ownership for companies and trusts.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Let’s honor that gift by saying yes, carefully and thoughtfully, to the homes that let a community endure.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
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And after several decades, it’s only gotten better; its lush environs are mature and humming, and its wellness journeys are thoughtfully developed.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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For capybara lovers who may not be quite ready to own an exotic pet, the following are places to visit them in the commonwealth.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As the days grow shorter and darker, and temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like knowing there’s a warm, welcoming bed awaiting you at home to usher in a cozy night’s sleep, and long, languorous mornings when time allows.—
Hannah Coates,
Vogue,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindly. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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