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
  • Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • YouTube‘s Pedro Pina has doubled down on the case against giving prominence to British broadcasters on digital services.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • Flowers’ voice also carries some of Waylon’s wry, bear-hug generosity, that warmth that always makes his music feel like good company.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Dream Ride Experience has grown into an extraordinary celebration of community, generosity, and inclusion.
    — Mark Maglio, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of generosity
Noun
  • Let precision lead the plan, then let compassion guide the delivery.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Kindness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindness. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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