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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in affectionate
feeling or showing love
a tender embrace between father and daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
a very tender child who always seems to be sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tender
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Everything is homemade, including their hot and sour soup that's worth the visit alone with its tender bamboo shoots, soft tofu, black mushrooms and egg in a spicy, sour broth.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Feb. 2026
Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Over his long career, Robert Duvall brought a wide range of characters to life, from tough Marines to wistful, tender-hearted cowboys.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are on their way to tender (but not yet falling apart), 8 to 10 minutes.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
Knight’s directorial debut never tips over into mawkish but has some unashamedly tender moments.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Everything is homemade, including their hot and sour soup that's worth the visit alone with its tender bamboo shoots, soft tofu, black mushrooms and egg in a spicy, sour broth.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Add the broccolini and stir until bright in color and crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026
Over his long career, Robert Duvall brought a wide range of characters to life, from tough Marines to wistful, tender-hearted cowboys.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Pests can also be particularly harmful to tender, young plant stems.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are on their way to tender (but not yet falling apart), 8 to 10 minutes.
—Holly Riordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
Thus, the article stressed that the Chinese navy must urgently address these risks, offering an unusually detailed proposal for a systematic crash-response plan, drawing lessons from US Navy salvage practices to improve readiness and protect sensitive technology.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The Skechers Aero Razor harnesses the explosive benefits of superfoam while maintaining a sensitive, stable ride.—
Cory Smith,
Outside,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These documents further illuminated the extent of the friendship between Bannon and Epstein, whose private exchanges are jocular, even affectionate at times.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In addition, romantic relationships are affectionate and reassuring.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Elizabeth was principled and compassionate while Jessica was carefree, outgoing and manipulative, and their clashes and crushes became a welcome distraction.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Protect your rest now, and let silence restore a clear, compassionate perspective.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The past four years of conflict have exposed more than one faulty assumption, not least the previously widespread belief even among Kyiv’s allies that Ukraine would be too weak, too disorganized, to resist a full-scale invasion.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … PARTY RECKONING — Cortez Masto admits Democrats have been 'weak on immigration,' chides Biden.—
,
FOXNews.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wash gym clothes on a gentle setting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
They are specifically designed to provide gentle, even pressure across the body.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The United Kingdom does not award cash bonuses for Olympic medals, meaning Team Great Britain athletes will not receive additional payments for podium finishes in 2026.—
Lee Ying Shan,Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Know More Initially founded in 2012 with a $5 million dollar grant from the John Templeton Foundation, Nautilus incinerated cash, sparing no expense in its pursuit of bringing resplendent literary science to the reading public.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lunar rocks and soil offered novel insights into the moon’s origin and composition, and more recent analysis of previously untouched Apollo samples, as well as samples retrieved by robotic missions, revealed the surprising discovery of water trapped in rocks thought to be bone-dry.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This formula, in particular, offers a liposomal delivery—a 125 mg phospholipid complex—to protect against degradation during digestion.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Treading a fine line in Venezuela’s power struggle The amnesty push comes against the backdrop of Venezuela’s fragile post-Maduro landscape, with the acting government under Rodríguez navigating US pressure, economic challenges and calls for stability.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, thanks to a Prebys Healing Through the Arts grant, Resounding Joy brought music to 50 participants in Mama’s Kitchen’s senior nutrition program, which delivers free meals to homebound medically fragile seniors in need.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
