Synonyms of kindness

kindness

noun

ˈkīn(d)-nəs 

1

as in tenderness

sympathetic concern for the well-being of others

with touching kindness, the couple offered the stranded tourists a place to stay for the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tenderness
• generosity
• humaneness
• attentiveness
• warmth
• benevolence
• beneficence
• kindliness
• kindheartedness
• tenderheartedness
• thoughtfulness
• benignity
• warmheartedness
• good-heartedness
• friendliness
• considerateness
• benignancy
• patience
• mercifulness
• compassionateness
• softheartedness
• graciousness
• affability
• niceness
• tolerance
• understanding
• pleasantness
• leniency
• altruism
• charitableness
• magnanimity
• clemency
• unselfishness
• good-naturedness
• philanthropy
• good-temperedness
• charity
• greatheartedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cruelty
• savagery
• brutality
• inhumanity
• callousness
• unkindness
• barbarity
• heartlessness
• ruthlessness
• savageness
• brutishness
• bestiality
• mercilessness
• severity
• insensitivity
• thoughtlessness
• toughness
• hard-heartedness
• inconsiderateness
• barbarousness
• unkindliness
• cold-bloodedness
• sternness
• unfeelingness
• harshness
• pitilessness
• meanness
• virulence
• malevolence
• grimness
• maliciousness
• spitefulness
• hatefulness
• vitriol

2

as in sympathy

the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune

out of the kindness of your heart, would you at least consider adopting this stray cat?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sympathy
• compassion
• heart
• generosity
• mercy
• pity
• humanity
• kindliness
• feelings
• feeling
• sensitivity
• ruth
• kindheartedness
• commiseration
• good-heartedness
• responsiveness
• charity
• warmheartedness
• love
• affection
• largeheartedness
• empathy
• regard
• bigheartedness
• softheartedness
• sensibility
• altruism
• benevolence
• goodwill
• rapport
• humaneness
• affinity
• humanism
• philanthropy
• humanitarianism
• benignity
• benignancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• inhumanity
• cruelty
• coldness
• callousness
• disinterest
• mercilessness
• unconcern
• hatred
• pitilessness
• coldheartedness
• hard-heartedness
• hostility
• harshness
• inhumanness
• animosity
• dislike
• antipathy

3

as in courtesy

an act of kind assistance

what a kindness to allow us to use your car for the funeral

Synonyms & Similar Words

• courtesy
• grace
• mercy
• service
• privilege
• benevolence
• indulgence
• blessing
• favor
• benefit
• turn
• advantage
• boon
• waiver
• dispensation
• liberty
• godsend
• license
• manna

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interference
• obstacle
• hindrance
• impediment
• hurdle

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kindness

Barnett was known for his infectious personality, kindness and ability to make people smile. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 1 Sep. 2026

Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and resilience. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026

Self-compassion involves having kindness of yourself, recognizing common humanity, reducing self-judgement and practicing mindfulness (a focus on living in the present moment). — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026

Esther hopes that reason and kindness will prevail during the debate. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026