tenderly
Americanadverb
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in a soft and gentle way.
He took time to polish his new leather shoes tenderly with his handkerchief.
The wind we hated so much while climbing is now tenderly drying the sweat from our brows.
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in an affectionate, loving, or kindhearted way.
He looked down tenderly at his baby daughter.
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sensitively or carefully, as to avoid pain.
Moving tenderly, she attempted to raise herself from the floor where she had fallen.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tenderly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite the romantic sounding title, this 1974 song, external is actually the sound of Parton tenderly asking her musical mentor, Porter Wagoner, to let her go and pursue her solo career.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
“I was always amazed at how she tore delicate shreds of meat from her catch and then so tenderly fed her chicks,” said Long Beach resident Erica Motamed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Instead of taking pleasure in the Witch’s undoing, Sophie tenderly cares for her.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
Like many things in the book, I have to write about it tenderly, even though I know there are so many problems.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
As she handed the young man his cup, she tenderly straightened his hair in a motherly gesture as she propped up his head.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
