noun

tenderness

tenderness, gentleness, soreness, affection

She showed great tenderness towards the child.

She showed great tenderness towards the child.

The meat was cooked to perfect tenderness.

The meat was cooked to perfect tenderness.

He felt tenderness in his injured shoulder.

He felt tenderness in his injured shoulder.

((of sth. / towards sb.)) tenderness of sth. / towards sb. She showed great tenderness towards the child.

Synonyms: gentleness, kindness, soreness; Antonyms: roughness, hardness, cruelty

From Latin 'tener' (soft, delicate) + the suffix '-ness' indicating a state or quality.

Think of a 'tender' touch, which is full of 'tenderness'. It also refers to the quality of meat or medical pain.

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