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 AssociationExamples 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
Outfielder Jake Fraley hasn’t played since Tuesday night with left calf tenderness.
—C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 May 2025
That my son was loved, and held, and bathed by this woman with such tenderness brought the tears back all over again.
—Domenica Ruta, People.com, 9 May 2025
Now taking place in 2018, the teen romance is a balm for audiences hoping to find the tenderness and connection lacking in modern times.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 7 May 2025
When early signs of traction alopecia appear—such as thinning edges, bumps, or scalp tenderness—intervening quickly is key.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenderness
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C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 10 May 2025
That my son was loved, and held, and bathed by this woman with such tenderness brought the tears back all over again.
—Domenica Ruta, People.com, 9 May 2025
Now taking place in 2018, the teen romance is a balm for audiences hoping to find the tenderness and connection lacking in modern times.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 7 May 2025
When early signs of traction alopecia appear—such as thinning edges, bumps, or scalp tenderness—intervening quickly is key.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tenderness
Cite this Entry
“Tenderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenderness. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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