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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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There’s just something about this charming friendship that’s wildly heartwarming and authentic.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Instead, the show offers more than a few laugh-out-loud moments, a new portrayal of golden-age friendships and some genuinely delightful guest stars.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Magazine, the actor, 55, said kindness is key in Hollywood.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Katherine deals with everything from sexism to ageism, while also having to learn a few lessons about kindness and work-life balance along the way.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread With Peanut Crumble The combination of overripe banana and vegetable oil in this recipe for chocolate chip banana bread, adapted from baker Valerie Gordon, give it its just-right tenderness.—
Betty Hallock,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2025
-
In addition to the discomfort felt in such areas, people with hip pain may also experience swelling, increased tenderness, bruising, difficulty walking, maintaining posture or even trouble sleeping.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The 2025 World Happiness Report ranks more than 140 countries based on a number of factors, including life expectancy, freedom from corruption, and generosity.—
Passport by ForbesLife,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Several factors, including inequality, generosity, freedom, life expectancy and perceptions of corruption, all contribute to the rankings – but one question related to happiness is weighed heavily by researchers.—
Andrea Margolis,
Fox News,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Then another letter arrived — this one from my credit card company, offering sympathies to my wife.—
Sachin H. Jain,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The sympathies of the characters waver or shift with every new rumor, and ours do the same as the truth is revealed in dribs and drabs via flashback.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Politicians in these countries have quietly expressed revulsion at President Donald Trump’s apparent friendliness with Vladimir Putin and willingness to make sweetheart deals at the expense of Ukraine.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
-
In the early 2000s, the village's pedestrian friendliness and mix of uses was ahead of its time — for the U.S.—
Alexandria Sands,
Axios,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As Hoque reminds us, transcending the AI temptation means intentionally guiding innovation with purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.—
Dan Pontefract,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The surprise announcement by military leaders who also head the unelected government came late Wednesday on state television MRTV, which said the halt in fighting would run until April 22 to show compassion for people affected by Friday's quake.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Such cordiality was impossible this time, and Dirk Hauser — head of media for Bayern’s academy then and to this day — had to keep the two men apart, in different parts of the old stadium.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
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Hold on to your butts, Samuel L. Jackson is coming after awards season cordiality.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
28 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Kindliness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindliness. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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