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

• 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

Venus in Cancer wants tenderness, but the influence of Aries triggers impatience and a yearning for faster results. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Stewed to fall-apart-at-the-touch-of-a-fork tenderness in a bright tomato sauce, the meatballs are covered with a decadent blanket of provolone and a shower of Parmesan. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Your daily rituals and love life both want more tenderness. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 27 July 2025

The inclusion of charcoal drawings and intimate works on paper adds tenderness to the exhibition. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tenderness

• slenderness