B2nounemotionsrelationships
US/ˈten.dər.nəs/
UK/ˈten.də.nəs/
a gentle, caring feeling toward someone; also soreness in part of the body
In context
She looked at her baby with great tenderness.
His letter was full of tenderness and warm memories.
The doctor pressed my stomach to check for tenderness.
Words that go with tenderness
adjective + noun
- great tendernessHe spoke with great tenderness.
- abdominal tendernessThe patient reported abdominal tenderness.
verb + noun
- show tendernessHe rarely showed tenderness in public.
- feel tendernessShe felt a sudden tenderness for him.
noun + preposition
- tenderness ofThe tenderness of her touch surprised him.
- tenderness inThere was tenderness in his voice.