tenderness

noun

ten·​der·​ness ˈten-dər-nəs How to pronounce tenderness (audio)
Synonyms of tenderness
: 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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dupuy-Spencer had a reputation for clear-eyed renderings of both the tenderness and the brutality of our world; here, darker forces prevail. — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 On my first listen to Nirosta Steel, I was so affected by the tenderness of the music and his voice. — Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 On screen, Guitarrica’s expressive and angular visage conveys the fright and uncertainty that afflict his character, who is desperate for tenderness. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 In Sense and Sensibility, Nordrum plays Colonel Brandon with heart-wrenching tenderness. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenderness

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenderness was in the 14th century

Rhymes for tenderness

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Browse Nearby Words

tender-minded
tenderness
tender-nosed
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Cite this Entry

“Tenderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderness. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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