tenderness

A feeling of love and kindness, and care for other people's feelings.

• She spoke with tenderness.
• He showed great tenderness towards his children.
• There was tenderness in the way she held his hand.

How to use it: tenderness towards someone (She felt tenderness towards the frightened child.)

Similar words: affection, gentleness, loving care

Opposites: cruelty

Common phrases: show tenderness, tenderness towards someone, with tenderness

Pain or discomfort in a part of the body when it is touched.

• There is tenderness around the bruise.
• The doctor checked for tenderness in my stomach.
• Call us if the swelling or tenderness gets worse.

How to use it: tenderness in something (He noticed tenderness in his shoulder.)

Similar words: soreness, sensitivity

Common phrases: abdominal tenderness, muscle tenderness, tenderness in something

The quality of being soft, easy to cut or chew, or gentle in manner.

• Slow cooking improves the meat's tenderness.
• She lifted the bird with great tenderness.
• The chef checked the tenderness of the beef.

Similar words: softness, gentleness

Opposites: toughness

Common phrases: tenderness of meat, great tenderness, test the tenderness