unkindness
unkindness — noun
1. behaviour or words that show a lack of care for someone else's feelings, often l
behaviour or words that show a lack of care for someone else's feelings, often leaving them feeling hurt or upset
Anya was deeply hurt by the unkindness of her classmates' comments about her new haircut.
collocation: 'unkindness of [someone's] [action]'
The manager's casual unkindness toward junior staff created a tense atmosphere in the office.
collocation: 'casual unkindness toward'
Small acts of unkindness can damage a friendship more than a single big argument.
Tanvi had never experienced such deliberate unkindness until she joined the competitive team.
- cruelty
stronger than unkindness; implies deliberate intent to cause pain or suffering
- meanness
more informal than unkindness; suggests petty, small-minded behaviour rather than general lack of care
- harshness
focuses on severity or roughness of treatment rather than lack of kindness
- spite
implies a deliberate wish to hurt or annoy someone, which unkindness does not always carry
- kindness
the direct opposite; thoughtful, caring behaviour toward others
- compassion
a deeper, more emotional form of caring that includes sympathy for someone's suffering
- gentleness
soft, mild treatment that avoids any trace of hurt or upset
用法筆記
Usually uncountable. To refer to a specific instance, use phrases like 'an act of unkindness' or 'a deliberate unkindness' rather than treating the noun as countable.