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

• beneficence
• benevolence
• benignancy
• benignity
• compassionateness
• good-heartedness
• humaneness
• kindheartedness
• kindliness
• kindness
• softheartedness
• tenderheartedness
• warmheartedness

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

Each of the three leads has moments of raw tenderness, fragility, even fear that add depth to the drama. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

Symptoms may include tenderness, redness, swelling, or bruising. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025

The film combines humor, tenderness and historical charm to appeal to both children and families. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 27 May 2025

Another pitcher injured Tony Gonsolin has been put on the IL with tenderness in his pitching elbow. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tenderness

• slenderness