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
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Pets' paws are incredibly tender areas and can easily crack and bleed during harsh conditions.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Comings and goings will be a breeze, too, thanks to the yacht’s two helipads and six tenders.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
The spotlight here is on seafood—from the catch of the day to tender octopus with Apulian panzanella.
—Megan Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
By repeatedly dropping the cookies while baking, the dough spreads and ripples, creating a cookie with far more texture on the outside, but still a soft, tender center.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Jan. 2026
Pets' paws are incredibly tender areas and can easily crack and bleed during harsh conditions.
—Riley Rourke, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
Since they’re made fresh in the store’s bakery, the cake is always soft and tender.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Comings and goings will be a breeze, too, thanks to the yacht’s two helipads and six tenders.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Roast, stirring once, until lightly browned and tender, about 40 minutes.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025
The spotlight here is on seafood—from the catch of the day to tender octopus with Apulian panzanella.
—Megan Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
The commission said the report overlooks other time-sensitive cases that don't require intake appointments.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Cold conditions may damage or kill sensitive crops, plants, and vegetation if appropriate precautions are not taken.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The plot requires the tailor’s wife to introduce doubts in the fisherwoman’s mind about her affectionate man’s fidelity.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
-
As the first book in Quinn’s ambitious, interconnected series, The Duke and I is tasked with introducing society matron Violet Bridgerton and her eight affectionate, squabbling children, as well as their many friends (and frenemies) in 1800s British high society.—
Sara Netzley,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Mahan has described such policies as more compassionate than leaving people to suffer on the streets indefinitely, but advocates have accused him of criminalizing homelessness.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Aim to be mindful, compassionate, and respectful, Goldman says, and open the conversation in a kind, non-assuming way.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump has directed his ire toward the Department of Labor agency ever since former Commissioner Erika McEntarfer authorized the release of a weak jobs report last summer.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Procedures harden, decision paths lengthen, and people wait for permission rather than acting on weak signals from the environment.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The palate leans on toffee, dark honey, orange peel, and a gentle rye spice that hangs around without dominating.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Briceno recommends cleaning your lips with a gentle, nondrying cleanser (his go-to is Purdori Natural Cleanser) to start.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Janet’s mother, Marilyn, was deeply insecure about having never finished college herself, and—newly flush with cash—offered to pay for four years of her children’s higher education (which cost, on average, $740 in the late 1970s).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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And just in case, she was laid to rest with some local currency, or spending cash, almost 1,000 Kaiyuan Tongbao coins tied to her waist and right leg, as per Arkeonews reported.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
February will bring both quarterly earnings reports and presentations at the annual CAGNY Conference, offering investors more opportunities to hear about food executives’ plans for their portfolios.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Asked earlier on Thursday about a possible energy ceasefire, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov offered no clarification.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Deuterons assemble well after the 100 MeV fireball cools, explaining how fragile nuclei endure extreme conditions.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In the latest violence rattling the fragile ceasefire, medics said two men were killed by Israeli forces in eastern Khan Younis, in an area adjacent to where the army operates.—
Nidal al-Mughrabi,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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