kindness

noun

ˈkīn(d)-nəs How to pronounce kindness (audio)
Definition of kindnessnext
1
as in tenderness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others with touching kindness, the couple offered the stranded tourists a place to stay for the night

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2
as in sympathy
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune out of the kindness of your heart, would you at least consider adopting this stray cat?

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3
as in courtesy
an act of kind assistance what a kindness to allow us to use your car for the funeral

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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 kindness The death of Dolly Parton at age 80 leaves a legacy of kindness, philanthropy, films — and an enormous catalog of songs, including countless hits over the decades. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 As a warrior for kindness and a defender of hope, may Parton’s legacy never leave us. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 Heartbreak is unexpressed, kindness is offered through subtle action, and love emerges at the edges of family pain. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026 In a wide-ranging conversation, Ridley Scott, 88, the director of ‘Alien,’ ‘Blade Runner,’ and ‘Gladiator,’ turns his eye toward AI, global warming and kindness. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindness
  1. tenderness
  2. sympathy
  3. service
  4. generosity
  5. compassion
  6. grace
  7. attentiveness
  8. heart
Noun
  • These pockets expand in the oven to give your cookies lift, tenderness, and structure.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Some of the skin is peeling a skosh more than they’d all like, though, a result of the potatoes’ tenderness.
    — Courtney Crowder, Des Moines Register, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of tenderness
Noun
  • These proposals, many times rooted in sympathy and love, were presented as alternatives to the political structures and market logic that had so often led to war, exploitation, hopelessness, and suffering.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The glories of some former age may be lamented, and our sympathies directed to parties judged righteous or wronged.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sympathy
Noun
  • Treasury yields moved lower across the curve on Thursday, as traders look ahead to key services and jobs data for more insights into the domestic economic picture following a sharp sell-off in global bond markets.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Strong companies may begin with electric-fleet operations, depot management, charging, maintenance, logistics or mobility services and evolve toward autonomous-ready infrastructure.
    — John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • Charities should seize on that and message around the benefit that leaning into generosity has for people’s wallets and their communities—one that opens the door to a teaching moment.
    — Dale Bannon, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Their generosity, humanity and belief in the importance of fashion as art, culture and history – as well as their understanding of human fragility and the possibility of growth – will remain with me always.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • The Kentucky native said Parton lived out her beliefs through compassion and generosity, even though some were critical of her glamorous image.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This triumvirate uses their voices, their power, their compassion to embody this virtuous cycle of generosity and reciprocity without forfeiting their personhood, bodies, or resources to anyone.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of compassion
Noun
  • He was beloved for his grace and elegance on the court and his easy-going manner off it.
    — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their parents, Patricia Arquette (who won an Oscar for her performance) and Ethan Hawke gain a wisdom and grace with the passing of time.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of grace
Noun
  • The opening up to the friendship with Renata, the attentiveness with Luis, and not being set on killing Negan are monumental changes for her.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Thanks to the controller’s attentiveness, a possible mid-air collision may have been prevented, especially if the pilots operating the individual planes thought the controller was giving them the same flight instructions.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of attentiveness
Noun
  • The way the central couple navigates the twists, turns, roadblocks and unforced errors that entangle their budding relationship is the beating heart of these films.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The approval was based on results from a trial that showed Mounjaro outperformed Trulicity in reducing the risk of major heart events.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heart

Browse Nearby Words

kindly
kindness
kind of
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Cite this Entry

“Kindness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindness. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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