unkindness

plural unkindnesses

1. uncountableThe state or quality of being unkind.

   She shows her unkindness through her actions.

   1 more example

   His unkindness earlier comes from his bad mood.

2. countableAn unkind act.

   You have done me an unkindness with your cruel deeds.

3. collectivecountableA flock of ravens or sometimes crows.

   An unkindness of ravens spread across the sky.

   4 more examples

   she brought down on her head an unkindness of crows, which limped across the beech-mast to stare one-sidedly at this... carrion in waiting.

   2014, Will Self, Shark, Grove Atlantic

   All Olwynne could remember, though, was her father falling away from her into some deep pit, his black wings bent over his face, and then hundreds of ravens, an unkindness of ravens, plummeting from the sky to peck out her eyes.

   2006, Kate Forsyth, The Shining City: Book Two of Rhiannon's Ride, Roc, published 2006, →ISBN

   "There's an unkindness of ravens that roosts on top of the guild. Their numbers are growing by the day. Aren't they spectacular?

   2007, Elizabeth Haydon, The Thief Queen's Daughter, Starscape Books, published 2007, →ISBN, page 228

   A raven cawed somewhere up ahead, and its cry was answered by others, an unkindness of ravens on all sides.

   2010, Rick Burroughs, Alan Wake, Tor Books, published 2010, →ISBN, page 38

   Synonyms: murder, conspiracy