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.
Prison is a place of survival and yes, the book is very keen on studying the ability to retain one’s tenderness in conditions that are intentional about callusing them. — Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026 Few contemporary filmmakers so richly explore the concept of tenderness quite like Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2026 Ricotta and baking powder deliver tenderness and lift, as with some Central and Eastern European pastry doughs. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 Along with a brief moment of tenderness Sara experiences with her class’s resident dork, this feminine camaraderie makes for a nugget of niceness in a sea of despair. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 30 Aug. 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 7 Sep. 2026.

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