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
-
This movie just felt different, though, in exploring the intimacy of a friendship and the loss of that friendship, versus romantic love.—
Tomris Laffly,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The capital city of the world’s happiest country exemplifies what makes Finland such an ideal spot for happiness—not just focusing on health or wealth alone, Helsinki places emphasis on things like community, kindness, trust in society, and easy access to nature and green spaces.—
Kaitlyn McInnis,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Those include bullying, friendship, school, kindness/empathy, self-worth/confidence, and mental health/well-being.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Carson instills in her hints of humanity and tenderness underneath a hardened exterior.—
Courtney Howard,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Equally distinctive is Grade’s tenderness toward religious tradition, which has few parallels in twentieth-century Jewish literature.—
Adam Kirsch,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 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
-
As for the tens of thousands of government employees fired or in limbo, Krygier doesn’t have much sympathy.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Unsurprisingly, the anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries of today have no sympathy for this legacy.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The place has changed hands a few times since, but its quality and friendliness have remained consistent.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The home-listing website listed viable breeds based on size and ranked them based on cleanliness, barking, if the dog can be alone, exercise needs and friendliness to strangers.—
Krystal Nurse,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Founded on principles of compassion, their treatments blend clinical psychology and Eastern philosophy together, which many have found to be a beneficial approach.—
Kara Markley Sterling,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Beyond lessons, volunteers offer support and compassion to ensure that the next generation doesn’t lose hope during one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.—
Abdulghani Aqlan,
The Christian Science Monitor,
24 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2025.
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