kindly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkīn(d)-lē How to pronounce kindly (audio)
Definition of kindlynext
1
as in kind
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others brought homemade chicken soup out of kindly concern for my health

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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

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kindly

2 of 2

adverb

1
as in nicely
with good reason or courtesy would you kindly hand me the scissors?

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2
as in pretty
chiefly Southern to some degree or extent their visit was kindly a surprise

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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
Adjective
The show sends Pride & Prejudice‘s resident frump (a charming Ella Bruccoleri) on a journey of self-discovery filled with kindly relatives, enormous books, lavish balls and, yes, eligible suitors. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 Joe Negri, a jazz guitarist best known to generations of children and their parents as the kindly, music-loving handyman of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, died Saturday, May 30, at a senior living facility outside Pittsburgh. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 12 June 2026
Adverb
Test it kindly first by making one small, real ask and then watching the next 72 hours. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 Speak plainly, edit kindly, and let useful precision build trust without turning everything into a critique. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kindly
  1. kind
  2. helpful
  3. nicely
  4. pretty
  5. compassionate
  6. beneficial
  7. thoughtfully
  8. quite
Adjective
  • The five years between home playoff games were not kind to fans of the South Siders.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For her performance as Thelma, the kind young stranger who shares a bus trip with the elderly woman returning to her long-ago home in Bountiful, Saint won the 1954 Outer Critics Circle Special Award.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of kind
Adjective
  • Seek out additional resources Looking into additional resources such as food banks, SNAP or hardship help programs in your area can be helpful, Rathner said.
    — Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Much of the staff has worked here for years; everyone who helped us was remarkably knowledgeable and helpful.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of helpful
Adverb
  • The amenities in the room are unmarked, in beautiful refillable containers, and have a natural, earthy scent that blends nicely with the environment.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Gia does seem to be settling nicely into her second stint as an NFL WAG, though.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nicely
Adverb
  • Last week’s episode was pretty bad, but this one is even more disappointing in some ways.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2026
  • What’s more, this new material is actually pretty strong, with 12 MPa compressive strength and 6 MPa flexural strength.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of pretty
Adjective
  • Perinatal palliative care is an important and compassionate option.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rodriguez described her daughter as kind, compassionate and full of life.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Put Hill’s connection with the Chiefs aside from a moment and even still the signing would be beneficial for a team that still has Super Bowl aspirations.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Most high risk drugs have a narrow range of a beneficial dose, and concentrations beyond this can cause significant harm to the patient.
    — Esha Desai, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of beneficial
Adverb
  • On-site boutiques and convenience stores add ease, while thoughtfully placed artifacts and local artwork deepen the connection to Hawaiian culture.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The film has drawn the somewhat odd criticism — also cited, candidly, in a review from his publication — that the story is told almost exclusively from the point of view of Israelis, a complaint to which Cohen responds thoughtfully.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtfully
Adverb
  • Even when Monét isn’t being quite as playful as on past releases, her personality sparkles brighter than her esteemed guests.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026
  • No other property in Key West captures the true resort feel quite like this.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of quite

Phrases Containing kindly

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kindlings
kindly
kindness
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Cite this Entry

“Kindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kindly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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