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

Davis could paint with tenderness or bring the hammer. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

These days, toast is a canvas for both creativity and comfort, so why not brighten up the morning by bringing in color and spice, tenderness and crunch, sweetness and tang? —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Pine and Slate achieve a beguiling tenderness together. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026

The tenderness of the chicken on the skewers is perfect, and the meat slides right off the skewer. —Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tenderness

• slenderness