Kindness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkīn(d)-nəs/ kind·ness

Meaning & Definition of Kindness

Kindness (noun)

  1. the quality or state of being kind
  2. a kind deed, favor
  3. affection

Kindness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. sympathetic concern for the well-being of others

    "with touching kindness, the couple offered the stranded tourists a place to stay for the night"

    similar: beneficence, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, compassionateness, good-heartedness, humaneness, kindheartedness, kindliness, softheartedness, tenderheartedness, tenderness, warmheartedness
    related: attentiveness, considerateness, thoughtfulness, affability, friendliness, good-naturedness, good-temperedness, warmth, graciousness, niceness, pleasantness, clemency, leniency, mercifulness, patience, tolerance, understanding, altruism, charitableness, charity, generosity, greatheartedness, magnanimity, philanthropy, unselfishness
    opposite: barbarity, barbarousness, bestiality, brutality, brutishness, callousness, cold-bloodedness, cruelty, hard-heartedness, heartlessness, inhumanity, savageness, savagery, unfeelingness, unkindliness, unkindness
    near: mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness, inconsiderateness, insensitivity, thoughtlessness, grimness, harshness, severity, sternness, toughness, hatefulness, malevolence, maliciousness, meanness, spitefulness, virulence, vitriol

  2. 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?"

    similar: bigheartedness, charity, commiseration, compassion, feeling, good-heartedness, heart, humanity, kindheartedness, kindliness, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, softheartedness, sympathy, warmheartedness
    related: feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitivity, affection, love, regard, affinity, empathy, rapport, altruism, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, generosity, goodwill, humaneness, humanism, humanitarianism, philanthropy
    opposite: coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness
    near: callousness, coldness, disinterest, indifference, unconcern, cruelty, harshness, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility

  3. an act of kind assistance

    "what a kindness to allow us to use your car for the funeral"

    similar: benevolence, boon, courtesy, favor, grace, indulgence, mercy, service, turn
    related: dispensation, waiver, advantage, benefit, blessing, godsend, manna, liberty, license, privilege
    near: hindrance, hurdle, impediment, interference, obstacle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Kindness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Kindness:

beneficence, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, compassionateness, good-heartedness, humaneness, kindheartedness, kindliness, softheartedness, tenderheartedness, tenderness, warmheartedness, bigheartedness, charity, commiseration, compassion, feeling, heart, humanity, largeheartedness, mercy, pity, ruth, sympathy, boon, courtesy, favor, grace, indulgence, service, turn

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Kindness

Words with the opposite meaning of Kindness:

barbarity, barbarousness, bestiality, brutality, brutishness, callousness, cold-bloodedness, cruelty, hard-heartedness, heartlessness, inhumanity, savageness, savagery, unfeelingness, unkindliness, unkindness, coldheartedness, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness

Related Words for Kindness

attentiveness, considerateness, thoughtfulness, affability, friendliness, good-naturedness, good-temperedness, warmth, graciousness, niceness, pleasantness, clemency, leniency, mercifulness, patience, tolerance, understanding, altruism, charitableness, generosity, greatheartedness, magnanimity, philanthropy, unselfishness, feelings, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitivity, affection, love

Near Antonyms of Kindness

ruthlessness, inconsiderateness, insensitivity, thoughtlessness, grimness, harshness, severity, sternness, toughness, hatefulness, malevolence, maliciousness, meanness, spitefulness, virulence, vitriol, coldness, disinterest, indifference, unconcern, animosity, antipathy, dislike, hatred, hostility, hindrance, hurdle, impediment, interference, obstacle

Origin & Etymology of Kindness

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Kindness

loving-kindness, milk of human kindness, kill (someone) with kindness, out of the kindness of one's heart, the milk of human kindness

Frequently Asked Questions about Kindness

What does "Kindness" mean?

"Kindness" means the quality or state of being kind. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being kind. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Kindness"?

Other words for "Kindness" include beneficence, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, compassionateness, good-heartedness, humaneness and kindheartedness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Kindness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Kindness"?

There are 79 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Kindness". Common alternatives include beneficence, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, compassionateness, good-heartedness, humaneness, kindheartedness, kindliness and softheartedness.

What is the opposite of "Kindness"?

Antonyms of "Kindness" include barbarity, barbarousness, bestiality, brutality, brutishness, callousness, cold-bloodedness and cruelty. Near antonyms include ruthlessness, inconsiderateness, insensitivity and thoughtlessness.

How do you use "Kindness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Kindness" in a sentence: "with touching kindness, the couple offered the stranded tourists a place to stay for the night"; "out of the kindness of your heart, would you at least consider adopting this stray cat?"; "what a kindness to allow us to use your car for the funeral".

Is "Kindness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Kindness" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Kindness"?

"Kindness" is pronounced /ˈkīn(d)-nəs/ and divided into syllables as kind·ness.

What is the origin of the word "Kindness"?

First known use: 14th century.