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:
On the one hand, they are weaponizing your acts of kindness, like driving Daniel to medical appointments, as acts of control and perhaps attempts to infantilize him.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 20, 2026
"We are so proud of how he showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability," she added.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Kenny added that Fr Doyle was held in great esteem by his own men, but was also noted for his kindness and mercy towards injured German prisoners-of-war.
From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026
“I want him to learn that another person’s boundaries matter even when he doesn’t understand or agree with them and that kindness isn’t something you perform only when adults are watching,” he said.
From Salon ● Oct. 18, 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
She felt it her bovine duty to make up for each and every one of Plug’s kindnesses.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
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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.
