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
-
In the years since, Newsom’s friendship with billionaire Gordon Getty helped grow his wine business, PumpJack Group, into a successful multimillion dollar operation.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
The actor is still hesitant to detail the nuances of his friendship with Franco.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Choose quiet tonight, and refill the well with kindness gently.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
-
Maria hopes people will practice kindness, compassion, and empathy instead of hate.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Anchored by the tenderness of Comer’s performance (the actress’ movie star glamour futilely undermined by a godforsaken pageboy cut), Sister Brigid offers herself as proof that old wounds can be tended into blooming gardens of love, and Robin is thus inspired to rewrite his own legend.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
11 June 2026
-
A little tenderness goes farther than strategy today.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
But beginning on February 11, 2022 108 healthy adults from across the United States performed an act of selfless generosity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
He is remembered for his generosity to families in need, and his dedication to giving back to his community.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Colorado community newspaper El Diario de la Gente, which was published in Boulder, carried a report in early 1976 that told its readers about budding sympathies between the striking Teamsters and the heavily Mexican American United Farm Workers movement.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
12 June 2026
-
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill issued a statement expressing sympathy for the girl’s family when the search was first called off.—
Jazmin Alvarado,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
There’s the Swede promoting the power of ranch dressing, the Italians marveling at fountain drinks with ice and free refills, the English rhapsodizing over chicken parm and just about everyone shouting out the friendliness of the businesses that served them.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
-
Keewaydin Island Keewaydin Island is an eight-mile-long, undeveloped barrier island located between Naples and Marco Island, known for its totally unspoiled white-sand beaches and dog-friendliness.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
With compassion and urgency, the film captures a New Orleans community’s determination to preserve its identity in the face of a disappearing homeland.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
Your intuition notices tiny shifts, so praise progress out loud and adjust the plan with compassion each day.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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