Synonyms of tenderness

tenderness

noun

ˈten-dər-nəs 

as in kindness

sympathetic concern for the well-being of others

volunteers at the shelter tended to all the animals in their care with great tenderness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kindness
• warmth
• humaneness
• tenderheartedness
• kindliness
• benignity
• attentiveness
• generosity
• beneficence
• benevolence
• kindheartedness
• thoughtfulness
• warmheartedness
• good-heartedness
• benignancy
• patience
• considerateness
• friendliness
• mercifulness
• compassionateness
• softheartedness
• affability
• pleasantness
• understanding
• tolerance
• graciousness
• leniency
• niceness
• clemency
• charitableness
• magnanimity
• unselfishness
• altruism
• good-naturedness
• good-temperedness
• philanthropy
• charity
• greatheartedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cruelty
• brutality
• savagery
• inhumanity
• callousness
• barbarity
• heartlessness
• savageness
• brutishness
• unkindness
• ruthlessness
• bestiality
• mercilessness
• severity
• toughness
• insensitivity
• sternness
• hard-heartedness
• cold-bloodedness
• thoughtlessness
• inconsiderateness
• harshness
• barbarousness
• pitilessness
• grimness
• unkindliness
• unfeelingness
• meanness
• virulence
• malevolence
• spitefulness
• hatefulness
• maliciousness
• vitriol

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tenderness

While the eye of the camera presents Cathy’s childhood as objective fact, Lee describes and then reframes his understanding of the past as an adult character in scenes Hoon Lee performs with astounding tenderness and pain. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026

Rage and tenderness are interwoven in pieces about mothers and daughters; the X’s with which Native leaders signed the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie; and the necessity and fragility of art. — Craig Morgan Teicher, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

The result retains the flavor Henprasert remembers while giving the ribs the tenderness many American diners expect. — Patricia Kaowthumrong, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2026

People can experience love and tenderness for younger generations without biological parenthood, as any devoted aunt or teacher can attest. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026