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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kindliness
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
Augustus didn’t emerge from uncertain beginnings and civil war through kindliness and good deeds; nor did Jahangir win the throne by patience and piety.
—Maxwell Carter, WSJ, 13 July 2018
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
Mr. McCartney was the exception, radiating aw-shucks kindliness and preaching heartfelt peace and love in many of his songs.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Peggy Noonan, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2021
Augustus didn’t emerge from uncertain beginnings and civil war through kindliness and good deeds; nor did Jahangir win the throne by patience and piety.
—Maxwell Carter, WSJ, 13 July 2018
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
Mr. McCartney was the exception, radiating aw-shucks kindliness and preaching heartfelt peace and love in many of his songs.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindliness
Noun
-
Now, their friendship plagues Trump's second term in the White House.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
-
Wolff and Horner are not known for their friendship.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
But his message will resound of kindness and creativity.—
Steve Baltin,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
This step deeply seasons the meat while ensuring tenderness.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
The Brisk It brisket came in second, with lots of compliments on its tenderness and taste.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
He’s got charisma, a dapper style and a crippling need to be the center of attention, which is classic Leo energy, minus the warmth and generosity.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
25 July 2025
-
Fuentes Espinal works in construction to support his family and has spent the last 15 years as a volunteer pastor at Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama, also known as the Church of the Nazarene Jesus Loves You, where he is known for his sermons and generosity.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
This compared to 28 percent who had sympathy for the royals and 68 percent who had either not very much or none.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 July 2025
-
Finally, Trump Seems to Get Putin Then came this week’s weapons deal along with more sympathy for Ukraine and more praise for NATO and its leader.—
Tom Nagorski,
Time,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
For cities, readers were asked to rate sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
China’s growing friendliness toward South Korea might be partly motivated by the unstable situation on the international stage, Kim said.—
Julia Zhong,
NBC news,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Among those lessons is that working with young people — and earning their trust — requires patience and compassion.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
25 July 2025
-
This doesn't mean our creativity or compassion will be erased.—
Srinivasa Rao Bittla,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
But while Trump and Putin speak of each other with cordiality, relations are testier between the two countries than the rhetoric would indicate.—
Astha Rajvanshi,
NBC news,
26 May 2025
-
His finest strengths are personality and cordiality, and both were amplified on the stage.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share