tenderly

[ten-der-lee]

adverb

1. 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.

2. in an affectionate, loving, or kindhearted way.

   He looked down tenderly at his baby daughter.

3. sensitively or carefully, as to avoid pain.

   Moving tenderly, she attempted to raise herself from the floor where she had fallen.

Other Word Forms

• untenderly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenderly¹

tender ¹ ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

But it’s what the film does with the handsome Kryptonian in the red boots that captures the viewer’s heart and holds it, tenderly, until the credits roll.

From Salon

They tenderly hold Gazala’s hands in a room that “smells like roses and orange peel.”

From Los Angeles Times

The process requires patience and care, and you want to treat the dough as tenderly as possible.

From Salon

But the show, subtitled “a story ballet of enlightenment in two immoral acts,” is choreographed — humorously, violently, roughly, tenderly — within an inch of its life.

From New York Times

The dynamic between them, on stage and off, is tenderly supportive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carefully 
• delicately 
• gently 
• gingerly 
• lightly