kindness
Americannoun
-
kindnesses
plural
-
the state or quality of being kind.
kindness to animals.
- Synonyms:
- tenderness, compassion, sympathy, charity, generosity, humanity, benevolence, benignity
- Antonyms:
- malevolence
-
a kind act; favor.
his many kindnesses to me.
-
kind behavior.
I will never forget your kindness.
- Synonyms:
- tenderness, compassion, sympathy, charity, generosity, humanity, benevolence, benignity
- Antonyms:
- cruelty
-
friendly feeling; liking.
noun
-
the practice or quality of being kind
-
a kind, considerate, or helpful act
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of kindness
First recorded in 1250–1300, kindness is from the Middle English word kindenes. See kind 1, -ness
Explanation
If someone asks you to do them a kindness, they mean a nice, kind act, the kind that makes you think of puppies and daisies. The noun kindness can be used for a kind act or to describe someone's temperament. You might say of someone that her kindness is quite genuine, or on the other hand she fakes kindness to get what she wants.
Vocabulary lists containing kindness
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ness
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But as Ms. Hoyer’s book makes clear, the city showed as much cowardice as kindness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Family of synagogue attack victim call for 'day of kindness'
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
“Thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown us. Please keep Niamh, Michael St James, and our family in your thoughts and prayers,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
You, by contrast, have built your political identity on leading with kindness.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026
They lived in tents, depending on the kindness of others for food and clothing.
From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell
When I look back over these past months I am overwhelmed by the kindnesses bestowed not only on me but on my wife and daughters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2025
He noted he is sometimes overcome by unexpected kindnesses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2023
The dancers tended to tell their stories almost dispassionately, sometimes smiling as they recalled the small kindnesses they had encountered along the way.
From New York Times ● Aug. 30, 2022
Many contributors mentioned Dorfman's generosity and kindnesses in the local community - but reciprocal offers of help and support as he grew older were frustratingly rebuffed.
From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2022
“You would not repay all my kindnesses with such treachery.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
