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
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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Tommy is the person to bring up that subject more than anyone else on the show, because Buck is unnaturally dependent on his friendship with Eddie.—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
-
They're paired up as roommates and forge an unlikely friendship, but after an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), Glinda and Elphaba go down two starkly different paths.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
His unwavering faith, kindness, and dedication to serving others have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Sure, the product is important, but kindness—the opposite of rudeness and apathy—is what keeps them coming back.—
Shep Hyken,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Healthy relationships allow for generosity without expectation, where both partners feel free to set boundaries without fear of emotional debt.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Though federal and state funding played an important role in these projects, they were driven more by the commitment and generosity of the individuals, families, and philanthropic organizations that make the Wildlands Partnership possible.—
Shelley Harms,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
And some had sympathy for what seemed like his intuitive habit, urging the creator and others in the comments to avoid judgement based on his past.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices and Micron Technology fell 7% and 1%, respectively, in sympathy.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Social citizens Cutting off those in-person relationships isn’t just a problem for safety and friendliness around the block.—
Betsy Sinclair,
The Conversation,
21 Mar. 2025
-
His research concluded that sociability, or friendliness in dogs is significantly related to size.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes with compassion can be extremely helpful.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
-
While Mateo's future had once been uncertain, his viral story has shown the difference compassion can make.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 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 22 Apr. 2025.
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