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

With spare, gripping sentences, Cagnati tells a sobering tale of suffering and tenderness. —The Know, Denver Post, 31 May 2026

Jack wanted to find the tenderness in a story most people remember as relentless. —Joel Wilson, IndieWire, 31 May 2026

The tenderness of their need is moving. —Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 May 2026

For overcooked pasta that's become tough after sitting out, toss in a hot skillet with a little reserved pasta water, broth, or sauce to restore its moisture and tenderness. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tenderness

• slenderness