TENDERNESS Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

tenderness

noun

ˈten-dər-nəs

Definition of tenderness

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

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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.

Recent Examples of tenderness These poems acknowledge pain, but identify tenderness in the darker corners of life. — Sean Murphy, The Conversation, 25 June 2026 Their chemistry grounds every emotional turn of the film, balancing comedy, heartbreak, and tenderness with confidence and precision. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 June 2026 There’s tenderness in the story’s example that masculinity and vulnerability are not mutually exclusive. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026 Each image is accompanied by a brief description of Saada’s perspective of the couple’s story, meant to reflect the tenderness, vulnerability and accessional absurdity that accompanies love. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenderness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderness

kindness

Noun

All of us are invited to choose to become better human beings and to show up at work and in the world with increasing love, kindness, courage and forgiveness.

— Mikhail Shneyder, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
That instinct to lean into life with curiosity, optimism, and kindness is, perhaps, America's greatest attraction.

— Divia Thani, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Definition of kindness

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tender-minded

tenderness

tenders

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“Tenderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of tenderness

noun

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