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

b

: the quality of being succulent and easily chewed

How you carve the meat enhances the tenderness and juiciness of each portion.

—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

Synonyms of tenderness

• kindness

Examples 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

Parboil the potatoes first for tenderness, then stick them under the broiler to develop a golden brown hue. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026

Yoshizawa and Yokohama bring abiding tenderness to their characters’ friendship while refusing to allow either protagonist to be reduced to a simple set of qualities. —Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026

Courtenay, as a caregiver with deeply sympathetic layers, exhibits frustration and compassion in equal measure, blending the obstinate protestations of a man in his twilight years with the lifelong tenderness and wisdom that often accompany them. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026

Create safety now so tenderness can unfold. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tenderness

• slenderness