Tender vs. Sore: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 26, 2023
"Tender" means sensitive to touch or delicate, while "sore" refers to a painful or aching state, often from inflammation or injury.
Difference Between Tender and Sore
"Tender" and "sore" are both adjectives used to describe sensations or feelings, especially related to pain or sensitivity. "Tender" generally signifies that something is delicate or sensitive to touch. When something is tender, it might not be in overt pain, but it can become uncomfortable when pressure is applied. For instance, an area around a healing wound might be tender to touch, indicating that it's still healing and needs to be treated gently.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
On the other hand, "sore" denotes a more pronounced discomfort or pain. When an area of the body is sore, it often indicates inflammation, injury, or strain. For example, muscles can become sore after an intense workout, signaling that they have been overexerted and need time to recover. Unlike tenderness, soreness typically doesn't require touch to be felt; the discomfort is constant.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
It's noteworthy that while both "tender" and "sore" can describe physical sensations, "tender" has broader applications. Outside of the context of pain or sensitivity, "tender" can also mean gentle, kind, or affectionate in nature. For instance, a tender gesture or a tender moment between two people doesn't relate to pain but indicates softness or warmth.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
In contrast, "sore" has a more limited scope and is predominantly associated with discomfort or pain. One could also be "sore" in a metaphorical sense, indicating feelings of upset or resentment, as in being "sorely disappointed" or feeling "sore" about a lost opportunity. In this context, "sore" touches upon emotional pain rather than physical.
Nolan
Sep 26, 2023
To summarize, while both "tender" and "sore" can relate to feelings of discomfort or sensitivity, "tender" has a broader range of meanings, encompassing both physical sensitivity and emotional gentleness, while "sore" more specifically denotes pain or aching, be it physical or emotional.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Tender vs. Sore Comparison Chart
Scope
Broader, indicating both sensitivity and gentleness
Primarily indicates pain or discomfort
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Common Usage
Describes physical sensations and emotional softness
Describes physical and sometimes emotional pain
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Emotional Context
Can indicate affection or warmth
Can indicate resentment or disappointment
Lucas
Sep 26, 2023
Physical Context
Might be uncomfortable when touched
Constant discomfort, even without touch
William
Sep 26, 2023
Tender vs. Sore Definitions
◉Tender
Showing gentleness or kindness.
He spoke in a tender voice to comfort her.
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tender
An official offer to supply goods at a stated price.
They submitted a tender for the construction project.
William
Sep 26, 2023
◉Tender
Considerate and protective; solicitous
a tender mother.
his tender concern.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait in the animal.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Characterized by or expressing gentle emotions; loving
a tender glance.
a tender ballad.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Causing pain or discomfort; painfully sensitive.
Her feet were sore from walking so far.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Dire; distressing.
The school was in sore need of textbooks, theirs having been ruined in the flood.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
(informal) Feeling animosity towards someone; annoyed or angered.
Joe was sore at Bob for beating him at checkers.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
A strip of meat, usually chicken, often breaded, deep-fried, and served with a sauce.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
A written offer to contract goods or services at a specified cost or rate; a bid.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
An injured, infected, inflamed or diseased patch of skin.
They put ointment and a bandage on the sore.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(Nautical) A vessel attendant on other vessels, especially one that ferries supplies between ship and shore.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
A railroad car attached to the rear of a locomotive and designed to carry fuel and water.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
(transitive) To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Easily bruised or injured; not firm or hard; delicate.
tender plants; tender flesh; tender fruit
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Tender to the touch; susceptible of pain from pressure; inflamed; painful; - said of the body or its parts; as, a sore hand.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Fig.: Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Severe; afflictive; distressing; as, a sore disease; sore evil or calamity.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Fond, loving, gentle, or sweet.
Suzanne was such a tender mother to her children.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic.
tender expressions; tender expostulations; a tender strain
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
A place in an animal body where the skin and flesh are ruptured or bruised, so as to be tender or painful; a painful or diseased place, such as an ulcer or a boil.
The dogs came and licked his sores.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Fig.: Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty.
I see plainly where his sore lies.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(nautical) Heeling over too easily when under sail; said of a vessel.
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May 03, 2023
◉Sore
Greatly; violently; deeply.
[Hannah] prayed unto the Lord and wept sore.
Sore sighed the knight, who this long sermon heard.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(obsolete) Careful to keep inviolate, or not to injure; used with of.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
causing misery or pain or distress;
it was a sore trial to him
the painful process of growing up
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Sore
roused to anger;
stayed huffy a good while
she gets mad when you wake her up so early
mad at his friend
sore over a remark
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(rail transport) A railroad car towed behind a steam engine to carry fuel and water.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(nautical) A naval ship that functions as a mobile base for other ships.
submarine tender
destroyer tender
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(nautical) A smaller boat used for transportation between a large ship and the shore.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Anything which is offered, proffered, put forth or bid with the expectation of a response, answer, or reply.
You offer me the sword of my father, the very man whose bones, because of your perfidy, lie under the sod of Crecy. Aye, I'll surely take it, and just as surely you shall die with your tender through your heart!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
A means of payment such as a check or cheque, cash or credit card.
Your credit card has been declined so you need to provide some other tender such as cash.
legal tender
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(legal) A formal offer to buy or sell something.
We will submit our tender to you within the week.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(archaic) To feel tenderly towards; to regard fondly or with consideration.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
A vessel employed to attend other vessels, to supply them with provisions and other stores, to convey intelligence, or the like.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
A car attached to a locomotive, for carrying a supply of fuel and water.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
An offer, either of money to pay a debt, or of service to be performed, in order to save a penalty or forfeiture, which would be incurred by nonpayment or nonperformance; as, the tender of rent due, or of the amount of a note, with interest.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Any offer or proposal made for acceptance; as, a tender of a loan, of service, or of friendship; a tender of a bid for a contract.
A free, unlimited tender of the gospel.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
The thing offered; especially, money offered in payment of an obligation.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
To offer in payment or satisfaction of a demand, in order to save a penalty or forfeiture; as, to tender the amount of rent or debt.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
To offer in words; to present for acceptance.
You see how all conditions, how all minds, . . . tender downTheir services to Lord Timon.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
To have a care of; to be tender toward; hence, to regard; to esteem; to value.
For first, next after life, he tendered her good.
Tender yourself more dearly.
To see a prince in want would move a miser's charity. Our western princes tendered his case, which they counted might be their own.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Easily impressed, broken, bruised, or injured; not firm or hard; delicate; as, tender plants; tender flesh; tender fruit.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Sensible to impression and pain; easily pained.
Our bodies are not naturally more tender than our faces.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Physically weak; not hardly or able to endure hardship; immature; effeminate.
The tender and delicate woman among you.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Susceptible of the softer passions, as love, compassion, kindness; compassionate; pitiful; anxious for another's good; easily excited to pity, forgiveness, or favor; sympathetic.
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
I am choleric by my nature, and tender by my temper.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Exciting kind concern; dear; precious.
I love Valentine,Whose life's as tender to me as my soul!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Careful to save inviolate, or not to injure; - with of.
The civil authority should be tender of the honor of God and religion.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Unwilling to cause pain; gentle; mild.
You, that are thus so tender o'er his follies,Will never do him good.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic; as, tender expressions; tender expostulations; a tender strain.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate; as, a tender subject.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
someone who waits on or tends to or attends to the needs of another
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
propose a payment;
The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
make tender or more tender as by marinating, pounding, or applying a tenderizer;
tenderize meat
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality;
a tender heart
a tender smile
tender loving care
tender memories
a tender mother
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
having or displaying warmth or affection;
affectionate children
caring parents
a fond embrace
fond of his nephew
a tender glance
a warm embrace
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
(of plants) not hardy; easily killed by adverse growing condition;
tender green shoots
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tender
Not tough or hardy; easily damaged.
The seedlings are tender and need protection from frost.
Kaitlyn
Sep 26, 2023
Tender vs. Sore Frequently Asked Questions
Can you describe a person's demeanor as sore?
While "tender" can describe demeanor, "sore" typically refers to physical or emotional pain.
Leo
Sep 26, 2023
Does tenderness always lead to soreness?
Not necessarily; tenderness might remain just a sensitivity without developing into an aching soreness.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Is a tender heart the same as a sore heart?
A tender heart indicates a kind, gentle nature, while a sore heart might mean emotional pain or sadness.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Why might skin become tender?
Skin can become tender due to various reasons like burns, infections, or injuries.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Can a muscle be both tender and sore?
Yes, a muscle can be sensitive to touch (tender) and also have a constant ache (sore).
Muazma Batool
Sep 26, 2023
Is tender meat the same as tender skin?
While both indicate softness, tender meat is desirable, indicating it's easily chewable, whereas tender skin implies sensitivity.
Elijah
Sep 26, 2023
Is it bad to exercise if muscles are sore?
Exercising sore muscles might lead to further injury. It's best to allow them to recover.
Nolan
Sep 26, 2023
Is tender the same as painful?
Tender indicates sensitivity to touch, but it's not necessarily painful, while sore typically implies pain.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Can "sore" describe feelings?
Yes, in contexts like "sorely missed" or "sore about something," it refers to strong feelings or disappointments.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Can an area be sore without being touched?
Yes, soreness can be felt constantly, even without touch, unlike tenderness which is felt upon touch.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 26, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
