1
as in sensitive
easily injured without careful handling
a tender wound tender plants that cannot take the cold tender pride that got bruised when his girlfriend dumped him
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in affectionate
feeling or showing love
a tender embrace between father and daughter
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3
as in compassionate
having or marked by sympathy and consideration for others
an especially tender teacher who loves having kids with special educational needs in her class
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4
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
a very tender child who always seems to be sick
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5
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
his tender comments on how to improve her writing style were gratefully received
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as in cash
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment
money from that board game is not legal tender and can't be exchanged for goods or services
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as in to offer
to put before another for acceptance or consideration
the coach tendered his resignation and started a new career as a physical therapist
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tender
Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, 4 to 6 hours.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
Evan Moore
july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
Unlike kale with its woody stems, Swiss chard has tender stalks—just be sure to give them a head start when sautéing.
—Christina Manian, Health, 21 July 2025
Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 June 2025
This oven pancake bakes up fluffy and tender in our favorite pan, a cast-iron skillet.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
His sensitive and tender attitude aligns him with the Water sign Cancer.
—Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025
Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, 4 to 6 hours.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
Noun
The tender chunks of chicken, perfectly cooked rice and sweet carrot swam in a savory broth that was flavorful yet light.
—Evan Moore
july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025
Unlike kale with its woody stems, Swiss chard has tender stalks—just be sure to give them a head start when sautéing.
—Christina Manian, Health, 21 July 2025
Verb
How Capitol rioter turned it down According to the Constitution, a pardon can be rejected by the person it is tendered to.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 June 2025
This oven pancake bakes up fluffy and tender in our favorite pan, a cast-iron skillet.
—Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
Businesses cannot process sensitive data without obtaining consumer consent.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
The website Health in Her Hue, for example, connects Black women and women of color to culturally sensitive healthcare providers.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
But, outside of the kennel, Newton is a different dog: eager, affectionate, and incredibly responsive to praise.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
-
Part of the fun of Austen’s novels is her affectionate skewering of that world order.—
Brandon Taylor,
Time,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Companies like Google and Salesforce offer extensive parental leave programs, recognizing that supporting employees during one of life’s most significant milestones is not only compassionate but smart business.—
Will Fan,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
That means unlearning the language that perpetuates harm and stereotypes, and being more compassionate and humane across the board.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Those weak harvests, in turn, are due to drought and high temperatures and more generally climate change, which has negatively impacted coffee harvests for several years.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
21 July 2025
-
It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
The water here is always a steady, crisp 70 to 75 degrees, and has a gentle current that gives the water incredible clarity.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
29 July 2025
-
Stefan, a vampire too gentle to drink human blood, eventually loses Elena to his brother, Damon, the cruel killer with a tender side just for her.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The bar staff said a water would cost $2 — and only cash would be accepted.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
21 July 2025
-
Let the cash accumulate in your account or reinvest it in a short-term Treasury fund.—
Catherine Brock,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
The new flight offers Florida travelers an alternative to the drive, which can take more than 4 hours (without accounting for potential traffic during peak tourism days).—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
-
There are also persistent rumors in the party that Paxton could be offered a job in the Trump administration that would head off the primary.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
During the chandelier's cleaning process, the office said workers wear gloves to minimize human contact and ensure its integrity is not jeopardized because it is made up of soft and fragile materials.—
Keelin Fisher,
Arkansas Online,
21 July 2025
-
Real grasscloth wallpaper, made from natural fibers like jute or seagrass, is extremely fragile and sensitive to moisture, paste, and pressure.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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