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kindliness

kindliness

1 3.2
Being friendly, generous, and caring to other people
  • noun
  • /ˈkaɪndlinəs/
translation icon : amabilidad
  • I know I will recoil from my helper's singsong voice, that well-meaning tilt of her head, her every gesture that exudes kindliness.

Examples

  • The discretion, forbearance, and kindliness with which power in such cases is used may indeed be regarded as the crucial test of gentlemanly character.

    Academic text (1993)
  • In spite of his charm and kindliness, he is not a good man.

  • By the age of twelve, Amanda knew so much better about Mrs. Meadows' kindliness.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "The kindliness had returned to Rayburton's eyes, but with it had come an air of smug satisfaction.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • She knew that the kindliness indicated a lack of fear, and that these people had no respect for you unless you could frighten them a little.

    Blog text (15)
  • It does not consist wholly in gentleness, patience, meekness, and kindliness.

    Blog text (16)
  • Kindliness and sincerity... and, if you'll forgive me, modesty... mean more to a husband than all the wit and beauty in the world.

  • Her kindliness towards the stray dog showed her generous spirit.

  • The teacher's kindliness made the classroom a warm and welcoming place.

  • Everyone appreciated the kindliness of their neighbor, who often helped with groceries.

Synonyms

kindness
vskindliness
297 1.0

Friendly and generous actions that help or comfort other people

is the same quality but uses an alternative word form
generosity
vskindliness
128 2.1

Being kind and ready to give money, time, or help to others

is wider, combining giving with friendliness and considerate attention
humanity
vskindliness
127 3.4

Being kind and caring to other people

focuses on everyday friendly generosity rather than broad moral concern
goodwill
vskindliness
95 2.8

Friendly feelings and kind acts toward other people

adds generosity and specific considerate acts to that attitude
charity
vskindliness
76 1.4

Being kind and forgiving toward other people

is more directly about helpful acts and practical consideration
friendliness
vskindliness
16 1.0

A kind and pleasant way of treating other people

adds giving and careful attention, not only social warmth
benevolence
vskindliness
16 6.1

Kind feelings and actions that help other people

is broader, also showing everyday friendliness and practical care
selflessness
vskindliness
14 3.9

To care more about other people's needs than your own

is less extreme, focusing on friendly generosity and consideration
niceness
vskindliness
11 1.3

A kind and polite way of treating other people

is deeper, also including active giving and sincere warmth
thoughtfulness
vskindliness
8 2.9

Being kind and careful about other people's needs and feelings

is broader, combining this care with friendly generosity
graciousness
vskindliness
6 4.1

Being kind, polite, and generous to other people

is more about everyday friendliness and practical consideration rather than formality
helpfulness
vskindliness
3 2.3

Willingness to support other people

is broader, including warmth and giving beyond mere help
beneficence
vskindliness
  • Formal
2 8.4

Kind acts that help other people

is more about a regular friendly and considerate attitude than single acts
heartedness
vskindliness
2 5.2

A kind, warm way of treating other people

focuses more on warmth, while the key stresses generous actions
unselfishness
vskindliness
2 3.4

Caring about other people and putting their needs before your own

is more about warmth and polite generosity than self denial
milk of human kindness
vskindliness
  • Literature
1 7.8

A natural kindness and care for other people

is less about instinctive feeling and more about deliberate friendly acts
loving-kindness
vskindliness
1 5.2

A warm, gentle feeling of care and concern for other people

is broader, adding general generosity and everyday consideration
amiability
vskindliness
1 4.1

A friendly, pleasant way of behaving that makes people feel comfortable

is broader, also involving giving and active thought for others
geniality
vskindliness
1 5.5

A friendly, cheerful way that makes people feel welcome

is more than social cheer, adding generosity and careful consideration
humaneness
vskindliness
1 5.1

Kindness and care for people or animals

is focused more on social warmth and active giving toward people
kind-heartedness
vskindliness
1 2.2

Being caring and helpful to people who need support

is broader, also including explicit giving and general warmth
hospitableness
vskindliness
1 6.0

Being friendly and welcoming to guests and strangers

is broader, involving giving and thoughtful care beyond hosting
benignity
vskindliness
1 8.1

A kind, gentle way of acting that makes people feel safe

is broader and more active, including generous giving and consideration
kindheartedness
vskindliness
3.9

A caring and generous attitude toward other people

emphasizes warmth rather than the full mix of giving and consideration
warmheartedness
vskindliness
4.4

A kind and friendly feeling toward other people

is similar but the key also highlights giving and thoughtfulness
bigheartedness
vskindliness
4.5

Kind and generous behavior that helps other people

is less about large giving and more about everyday warmth and care
openheartedness
vskindliness
5.4

Being kind, generous, and willing to share feelings honestly

is more general, also covering polite friendliness and considerate acts
amiableness
vskindliness
6.7

A friendly, pleasant way of acting that makes others feel comfortable

includes generosity and active consideration beyond mere pleasant manner
good-naturedness
vskindliness
3.2

A kind, friendly attitude that wants to help others

is broader, also covering deliberate generosity and thoughtful care
compassionateness
vskindliness
7.6

A deep care for people who suffer that makes you want to help them

is more about friendly giving and considerate acts than feeling alone
generousness
vskindliness
3.4

Willingness to give money, time, or help to other people without asking for anything

also stresses friendly behaviour and thoughtfulness, not only giving
charitableness
vskindliness
5.3

A willingness to give help or money to people in need

is broader, including friendly care and considerate behaviour beyond giving
considerateness
vskindliness
6.1

Care for other people's needs and feelings

is wider, also adding friendliness and willingness to give
amicability
vskindliness
6.2

A friendly, pleasant way of behaving that avoids conflict

is more about active generosity and consideration, not only peacekeeping
towardness
vskindliness
  • Archaic
8.9

A friendly, helpful way of behaving toward other people

is broader, also involving generous giving and closer consideration
benignancy
vskindliness
9.9

A kind, gentle way of acting that makes people feel cared for

is more practical, stressing giving and thoughtful actions rather than mere gentleness

Antonyms

cruelty
  • NSFW
129 3.2

Actions that hurt people or animals on purpose

3 4.1

Lack of care for other people

How Kind

compassion
423 2.7
benevolence
16 6.1
kindliness
1 3.2
goodwill
95 2.8

Surface Forms

kindliness singular
kindlinesses plural

Morphology

kindliness = kindly (transparent) = kind + ly + ness

Standard noun formation from the adjective 'kindly' using '-ness' to indicate a quality.

Etymology

Kindliness comes from kind, a word related to kin that once meant 'family' or 'birth'. So being kind meant treating others like family, and kindliness means being friendly, generous, and considerate.