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Definition of unkindness

unkindness

/ʌnˈkaɪnd.nəs/
un · kind · ness
Adverb:unkindly
•
Plural:unkindnesses
•
Adjective:unkind
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unkindness Lexical Profile

unkindness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of being inconsiderate, harsh, or unsympathetic toward others.

Example

"She was deeply hurt by the casual unkindness of her classmates' remarks."

2

An inconsiderate, hurtful, or uncharitable act or remark.

Example

"He apologized years later for the small unkindnesses he had committed in his youth."

3

A group or flock of ravens.

Example

"An unkindness of ravens circled high above the jagged cliffs."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for unkindness

• Rhymes for unkindness

• Nearby Words

unkind
unkindliness
unkindly
unkindness
unkink
unknot
unknowable

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from 'unkind' and '-ness'. The poetic collective noun sense ('an unkindness of ravens') dates back to 15th-century English hunting treatises such as the 'Book of Saint Albans' (1486), stemming from medieval folklore that ravens were unnatural parents that neglected their young.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unkindness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unkindness
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