The antonyms for the phrase "showed tenderness" could be brutal, callous, cruel, hard-hearted, heartless, inconsiderate, indifferent, merciless, uncaring, unfeeling, and unsympathetic. These antonyms describe the opposite of showing tenderness, which involves being cold, unkind, unresponsive, and lacking empathy towards others. When someone doesn't display tenderness, they are essentially neglecting the needs and emotions of the person they are interacting with. Such behavior reflects an insensitivity that could alienate and hurt others. Therefore, it is vital to recognize the importance of showing tenderness and to explore its many synonyms that relay compassion and kindness towards others.