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 His tenderness and vulnerability sets the tone of the show, which takes men’s emotions seriouslywithout lapsing into either the preachy hugging and learning of Ted Lasso or the manipulative melodramatics of, say, A Million Little Pieces. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 That punk instinct never crowded out Araki’s tenderness toward the material, and Corbet clearly shares the director’s view. — Joshua Encinias, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026 But there is a real tenderness that’s thrown into the mix with the lewd banter and glass-half-empty outlook. — Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Side effects included injection-site reactions such as pain, tenderness and swollen lymph nodes; fatigue; headache; muscle or joint pain; nausea or vomiting; and fever. — Elise Haulund, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tenderness

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tenderness

kindness

Noun

At a time filled with so much sadness, your kindness has reminded me that there is still so much good in humanity.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Her flop of a debate performance left her sounding like someone with no vision or kindness — career suicide for someone who has made her reputation on both traits.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of kindness

Browse Nearby Words

tender-minded

tenderness

tenders

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“Tenderness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tenderness. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tenderness

noun

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