1
as in kind
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpful
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being
a vegetarian diet can be very kindly to a person hoping to lose a few pounds
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in nicely
with good reason or courtesy
would you kindly hand me the scissors?
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2
as in pretty
chiefly Southern
to some degree or extent
their visit was kindly a surprise
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kindly
Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
An action group called the Women’s Political Council strategically portrayed her as a kindly seamstress and demure heroine — someone milquetoast enough for white Americans to get behind — and launched the call to boycott the bus system the instant she was arrested.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
Adjective
But portraying Metternich as a victim of trauma, a thoughtful strategist, a harbinger of modern European federalism, and a kindly and moderate man in private doesn’t excuse the cruelty and intolerance of his politics.
—Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Kings needing improvement defensively The film didn’t reflect kindly on the Kings’ defensive effort in Thursday’s loss against the Golden State Warriors, who shot 22-of-39 from 3-point range.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
An action group called the Women’s Political Council strategically portrayed her as a kindly seamstress and demure heroine — someone milquetoast enough for white Americans to get behind — and launched the call to boycott the bus system the instant she was arrested.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kindly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindly
Adjective
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The long gap between seasons has not been kind to the show, which returned way down in the ratings this past fall.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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Holly Marie Combs has nothing but kind words for the young Pretty Little Liars cast — and a couple of digs at her twentysomething self.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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What whistleblowers need to know before speaking out The Signals Network has many resources, but perhaps the most helpful one is its personal assessment tool.—
Lindsay Kohler,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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However, some experts acknowledge that sibling gifts may be helpful in certain cases, particularly if the sibling has trouble with emotional regulation or a learning difference.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
31 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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But, at this point, that’s pretty low on the list of priorities for him.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
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And Laurie pretty much tells her all of that, much to Kate’s horror.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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What’s more, a child facing the same post-pandemic anxieties in such a district might encounter punitive measures rather than compassionate intervention.—
Elizabeth Austin,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
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Nancy Stanwood, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, said the organization is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to all patients.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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It's been very beneficial in solving and helping solve cases recently.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Eating healthy helps too, so access to Georgia’s training table during the past few years has been beneficial.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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On the darker side, quite literally, is Gio Pagani’s Voyage d’Une Nuit bed: a high-impact sleeper fully covered in glossy-black leather.—
Rachel Gallaher,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2025
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This isn’t quite the same thing, because Pornchai isn’t the heir to a family fortune and intends for a more straightforward partnership.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Snow White was born into a kingdom on the edge of a forest, where happiness flourishes under the benevolent King (Hadley Fraser) and Queen (Lorena Andrea).—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
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When thinking about quintessential Southern attributes, qualities like hospitable, benevolent, and polite come to mind.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As the Trump administration continues to pursue a deal to end the war in Ukraine — one that may end up being more favorable to Moscow than Kyiv — Europeans, for the first time in decades, are focusing on their own military might.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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The plan commission forwards a recommendation either favorable or unfavorable to the Porter County Board of Commissioners who would then have two readings, the first at a public hearing, while the second does not require a public hearing.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindly. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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