1
as in kind
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in helpful
promoting or contributing to personal or social well-being
a vegetarian diet can be very kindly to a person hoping to lose a few pounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in nicely
with good reason or courtesy
would you kindly hand me the scissors?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pretty
chiefly Southern
to some degree or extent
their visit was kindly a surprise
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 kindly
Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
But unlike the mockingbird, which has a rich and varied voice, the scrub-jay has a song that can be most kindly described as non-musical.
—Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kindly 
Adjective
But portraying Metternich as a victim of trauma, a thoughtful strategist, a harbinger of modern European federalism, and a kindly and moderate man in private doesn’t excuse the cruelty and intolerance of his politics.
—Andrew Moravcsik, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019
Fans willing to overlook the obvious vapidity of director Rob Reiner, a hostile Democrat-progressive zealot, prove that some conservatives are bamboozled by liberalism’s kindly pretense.
—Armond White, National Review, 21 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Yarrow’s own behavior was hardly as kindly as the sound of his group.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
But unlike the mockingbird, which has a rich and varied voice, the scrub-jay has a song that can be most kindly described as non-musical.
—Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kindly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindly
Adjective
-
But few discouraging words were heard about Sosa at the Cubs Convention, which is made up of a kinder, gentler group of fans, and a higher percentage of children who think of Sosa and Clark the Cub as similar mythical characters.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
-
Perhaps the coming years will be kinder to these efforts.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The cash could be helpful as Dover’s leadership team considers further adjustments to its wide-ranging portfolio that focuses the company on more attractive end markets.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
-
For people who have kids, having an emergency contact with legal residency status who has permission to pick them up from school can also be helpful.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
But opinions on this issue have actually remained pretty consistently in favor of the Paris agreement since its inception: 62 percent of Americans were opposed when Trump withdrew from it for the first time back in 2017, and the same share supported Biden's decision to rejoin in 2021.—
Mary Radcliffe,
ABC News,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The Horror’s Least and Igneous Hammer are pretty good Adept PvP rolls.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, to me the phrase means that girls just wanna be real… and vulnerable… and inclusive… and compassionate and on and on.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2025
-
The Grauer School’s mission is to provide a humanitarian education that helps develop compassionate citizens with the ethical and social leadership qualities necessary to make positive changes in the diverse local, national and global communities.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Rainfall will be mostly beneficial but poses a risk for dangerous debris flows over recent burn scars.—
James Bickerton,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
-
That rate is of an intensity that is beneficial and isn’t intense enough to start producing mud flows or a debris flow.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
Yeezy teased the first black bodysuit, which is quite revealing.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Likewise, the Gam coffee table, made in teak with a matte varnish, was fashioned in a yin and yang of parts that don’t quite fit into one another.—
Sofia Celeste,
WWD,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The 34-year-old Uncut Gems actress has revealed that her current New York home came with a surprise: a benevolent spirit named Beauty, who has taken up residence in the basement.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 Jan. 2025
-
In it, humanity’s future has been largely tamed by a brilliant mathematician who uses statistical laws to control human behavior and protect against catastrophic events, ensuring what is supposed to be benevolent and stable rule for centuries.—
Margaret MacMillan,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Picture a future where devices not only interpret your words but also recognize emotional cues, adapt to your preferences, anticipate needs and support you in creating favorable outcomes at home or work.—
Thorsten Zander,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Elon Musk doesn’t miss an opportunity to take a dig at OpenAI — even when the news item in question is supposed to be favorable to President Trump.—
Chris Welch,
The Verge,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near kindly
Cite this Entry
“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindly. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share