tenderness
noun
ten·der·ness
ˈten-dər-nəs 
: a tender quality or condition: such as
a
: gentleness and affection
His voice quavered with tenderness.—
Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates
b
: the quality of being succulent and easily chewed
How you carve the meat enhances the tenderness and juiciness of each portion.—Kemp Minifie
Kemp Minifie
c
: sensitivity to touch or palpation
They found a small increased risk of reactions such as redness, swelling, and/or tenderness at the injection site …—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationExamples of tenderness in a Sentence
volunteers at the shelter tended to all the animals in their care with great tenderness
Recent Examples on the Web
Malek colors him in with shades of anger, tenderness, psychosis, and the sheer pesky individuality of Jimmy.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2026
These moments of tenderness are given uncommon elbow room, never overstaying their welcome but always reinforcing the web of connections between characters.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
This thematic turn stood in contrast to some of the stronger moments of the past seasons, when real affection and tenderness — between Rue and Jules, for example — cut through the hard shell of the show’s bravado.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Venus in Cancer is heating up your relationship sector, bringing more tenderness, affection and emotional honesty into your closest connections.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tenderness
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Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2026
These moments of tenderness are given uncommon elbow room, never overstaying their welcome but always reinforcing the web of connections between characters.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 19 May 2026
This thematic turn stood in contrast to some of the stronger moments of the past seasons, when real affection and tenderness — between Rue and Jules, for example — cut through the hard shell of the show’s bravado.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 May 2026
Venus in Cancer is heating up your relationship sector, bringing more tenderness, affection and emotional honesty into your closest connections.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tenderness
Cite this Entry
“Tenderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderness. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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