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
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
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
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationSynonyms
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
Gout and Inflammatory Arthritis Gout is a different type of arthritis that causes joint swelling, pain, and tenderness.
—Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 17 Jan. 2025
Kono-Abdy and Grey also shine, infusing their caring supporting roles with wit and tenderness.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
The novel carefully shows the way the child’s very existence changes each of the other characters’ lives, all while perfectly encapsulating the frustration, boredom, anxiety and tremendous bursts of tenderness that come from raising a young one, even when that young one is not your own.
—Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Southern Buttermilk Pie What About Dried Buttermilk Powder? Dry powdered buttermilk can help with tenderness and browning in baked goods when whisked into the flour.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tenderness 
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Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 17 Jan. 2025
Kono-Abdy and Grey also shine, infusing their caring supporting roles with wit and tenderness.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 16 Jan. 2025
The novel carefully shows the way the child’s very existence changes each of the other characters’ lives, all while perfectly encapsulating the frustration, boredom, anxiety and tremendous bursts of tenderness that come from raising a young one, even when that young one is not your own.
—Isaac Fitzgerald, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
Southern Buttermilk Pie What About Dried Buttermilk Powder? Dry powdered buttermilk can help with tenderness and browning in baked goods when whisked into the flour.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tenderness
Dictionary Entries Near tenderness
Cite this Entry
“Tenderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderness. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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