kindness

I

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [The quality of being kind]

Syn. tenderness, good intentions, consideration, sympathy, sweetness, benevolence, generosity, helpfulness, kindheartedness, indulgence, delicacy, tact, benignity, mildness, courtesy, thoughtfulness, humanity, courteousness, understanding, solicitude, solicitousness, compassion, unselfishness, altruism, agreeableness, amicableness, commiseration, warmheartedness, softheartedness, politeness, kindliness, clemency, goodness, beneficence, philanthropy, charity, friendliness, good disposition, good nature, mercy, affection, loving-kindness, cordiality, amiability, forbearance, tolerance, graciousness, virtue; see also generosity 1 , tolerance 1 .

Ant. brutality, cruelty, selfishness.

2. [A kindly act]

Syn. favor, service, good deed, good turn, benefit, act of kindness, relief, succor, charity, benevolence, philanthropy, boon, blessing, courtesy, kind office, bounty, benefaction, self-sacrifice, mercy, lift*, boost*, good lick*, break*; see also aid 1 .

Ant. transgression, injury*, wrong.

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) n.

1. niceness compassion, consideration, goodness, benevolence, generosity, charity, bigheartedness, understanding, graciousness, love, magnanimity, sympathy, humanity, gentleness, friendliness, mercy, forgiveness. ''The golden chain by which society is bound together.''—Johann Goethe.

2. good turn good deed, service, accommodation, helping hand, generosity, charity, assistance, relief.

ANT.: 1. meanness, cruelty, coldness, brutality

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun 1. Kindly, charitable interest in others: altruism, beneficence, benevolence, benignancy, benignity, charitableness, charity, goodwill, grace, kindheartedness, kindliness, philanthropy. See ATTITUDE, KIND. 2. A charitable deed: benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, benignity, favor, kindliness, oblation, office (often used in plural), philanthropy. See GIVE, KIND. 3. A kindly act: favor, good turn, grace, indulgence, service. Archaic: benefit. See HELP.