Tenderly means doing something with gentle care and affection. When a parent tenderly tucks a child into bed, they move softly and lovingly, smoothing the blankets and maybe brushing hair from their forehead. When a veterinarian tenderly examines an injured puppy, she handles it carefully to avoid causing pain.

The word suggests both physical gentleness and emotional warmth. You might tenderly hold a newborn baby, tenderly water delicate seedlings, or tenderly help a friend who's feeling sad. There's always a sense of caring deeply about whatever or whoever you're treating tenderly.

In stories, you'll often see characters speaking tenderly to each other during emotional moments, using soft voices and kind words. A grandmother might tenderly reminisce about her childhood, her voice full of gentle fondness for those memories. The opposite would be handling something roughly, carelessly, or without affection.