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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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Recent Examples of tender
Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
Rocketship’s 1996 debut, A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness, then, sits at the crossroads, marking a transition between the raucous, exuberant indie pop of its moment and the more tender, literary form the genre would soon take.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2026
Bake 375 degrees Fahrenheit until tender or cook on griddle or grill until nicely browned.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The Packers did not tender Wilson as a restricted free agent despite the soon-to-be 27-year-old running back giving them decent reps as Josh Jacobs’ backup last season.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
Lawrence is so dear — such a unique person and such a tender soul.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Mar. 2026
Rocketship’s 1996 debut, A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness, then, sits at the crossroads, marking a transition between the raucous, exuberant indie pop of its moment and the more tender, literary form the genre would soon take.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
Featuring a tender duet with Alison Krauss, the new set marks Combs’ first since 2024’s Fathers & Sons.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Mar. 2026
Bake 375 degrees Fahrenheit until tender or cook on griddle or grill until nicely browned.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
In a letter to the Trinity Cathedral community, Bishop Ketlen Solak said over the weekend that Smith had tendered his resignation, which was accepted.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
The Packers did not tender Wilson as a restricted free agent despite the soon-to-be 27-year-old running back giving them decent reps as Josh Jacobs’ backup last season.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
This wasn’t surprising, given that intelligence agencies compartmentalize information about sensitive operations.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It is well understood in the region that could mean things like broad targeting of sensitive and highly vulnerable energy installations, something Iran has already threatened, essential for the regional and global economies, as well as hard to quickly repair and rebuild.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Top marks to the dog for being adorably affectionate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Stephen seems to have been an affectionate husband until the end.—
Isle McElroy,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Audrey Jones described her brother — who left behind two children — as loving, kind and compassionate.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Our compassionate president posted a heartfelt statement for former FBI Director Robert Mueller, who came from a wealthy family, and upon graduating from Princeton University, volunteered for service (no bone spurs here).—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An atmospheric river should track across California, even into southern California, by Tuesday, March 31, but is currently forecast to remain too weak to cause flooding issues, the WPC said.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With their blissful harmonies and flowery, mystical lyrics, the Texas duo embodied soft rock, ushering in the genre at the dawn of the Seventies with a gentle nudge and a tip of Seals’ signature newsboy cap.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Star-studded, and then some, the upcoming show boasts giant of stage and screen John Lithgow as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Golden Globe winner Janet McTeer as stern but wise Professor Minerva McGonagall, and comedy stalwart Nick Frost as gentle oaf Rubeus Hagrid.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Be wary of those who push for your cash without offering sufficient collateral or payback plans.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Winners can also choose the lump‑sum cash option.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wellness screenings offer a non-invasive analysis of each guest’s key biomarkers to understand individual needs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
From Monday to Friday, the reception area will serve as a nutrition center for athletes, offering smoothies, protein shakes, granola and anything else an athlete could need.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hezbollah entered the war on March 2 with a barrage of missiles against Israel, breaking the fragile November 2024 ceasefire.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
DiMarco is a perfect fit as the besotted but fragile boy-man groom while Jason Leigh interjects hazy weirdness while Levine, Wilbusch, Birney, Crome and Fraser keep our suspicions about them on high.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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