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

Imagine a world where each of these environments were built on valuing time and tenderness just as much as productivity and success. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025

Feel enveloped in universal tenderness. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Armstrong, the first woman to tackle Alcott’s book for the big screen, imbues every frame with tenderness, nostalgia, and the glow of unconditional love. —The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 21 Dec. 2025

The sour cream and heavy cream help bind the dough and add tenderness and moisture. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tenderness

• slenderness