Definitions

kindly

[kahynd-lee] / ˈkaɪnd li /

ADJECTIVE

compassionate, helpful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

attentive benevolent genial gentle good-hearted gracious polite sympathetic thoughtful

WEAK

beneficial benign benignant cool cordial favorable friendly generous good good-natured hearty humane kind kindhearted mellow merciful mild neighborly pleasant sociable warm

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cold heedless inattentive inconsiderate mean rude uncaring unfriendly unkind

WEAK

disagreeable unkindly unsympathetic

ADVERB

with compassion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affectionately delicately generously genially graciously helpfully politely sympathetically tenderly thoughtfully

WEAK

agreeably benevolently benignly carefully charitably compassionately considerately cordially courteously good-naturedly heedfully humanely solicitously tolerantly understandingly well

Antonyms

WEAK

disagreeably inconsiderately unkindly

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.

Other kindly ushers, who had directed people to an adjacent section after Section 535 filled up, politely asked everyone to please put their shirts back on before returning to the general stadium population.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Which isn’t to say that rock’s intelligentsia ever viewed him kindly.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

O'Mahoney added: "My girlfriend was away so I asked him and he very graciously and kindly agreed."

From BBC • May 21, 2026

"My mum's church in Barnoldswick kindly let me use the church hall," she said.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

“Are you the musical girl?” he asked, without any startling “Hey!” as he looked down at her very kindly.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

kindly

Example Sentences

Related Words