tender 1 of 3

adjective

ˈten-dər How to pronounce tender (audio)
Definition of tendernext
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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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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tender

2 of 3

noun

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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tender

3 of 3

verb

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

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
Adjective
And yes, the top bakes up golden and crisp, while the interior stays tender and almost but not quite custardy. — Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Bake this classic all the way through for a light and tender crumb, or cut the bake time short for serious gooey goodness in the center. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
While the tender is primarily focused on the 2030 World Cup, interested parties will also have the option to submit offers for the 2034 installment in Saudi Arabia. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Shapira fills a plate with a crab cake, two chicken tenders, and a salad, lamenting the fattiness of American food. — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Braise for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is almost cooked through and tender (and registers 155° to 160°F on an instant-read thermometer, inserted away from the bone). — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 26 Sep. 2026 Fall pruning may trigger tender new growth that is vulnerable to winter damage. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
  1. sensitive
  2. affectionate
  3. compassionate
  4. weak
  5. gentle
  6. cash
  7. offer
  8. fragile
Adjective
  • Some highly sensitive issues include relations with the European Union and Russia, but the primary focus will be dealing with corruption.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • There may be time-sensitive observations or decisions that need to be made before any instruction could arrive.
    — Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Other people shared their own experiences with romantic interactions and affectionate responses, showing how some individuals are choosing to use the technology.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • All of the Slow Horses (a not-so-affectionate nickname for Slough House employees), past and present, are targeted, and Sid goes to River for help.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of affectionate
Adjective
  • Gentle parenting has become a buzzword on social media, often presented as a calm, connected, and compassionate alternative to traditional discipline.
    — Alex Vance, Parents, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Others discussed overcoming the initial awkwardness of the work and finding satisfaction in helping doctors become more competent and compassionate.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The age-old advice of keeping your passwords secure and being wary of suspicious emails is more important than ever as hackers gain more sophisticated tools and use AI to find more of the internet’s weak points.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts expect profits and assets to cover the dividend through weaker timber periods.
    — Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Some gentle chemical sunscreens to try include Beauty of Joseon’s Day Dew Sunscreen or the Supergoop!
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The movie is replete with long moments of silence, intense stares and gentle teasing and probing among the four that can feel particularly electric to some viewers.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of gentle
Noun
  • The 2026 midterm elections are set to become the most expensive on record, as Republicans pour cash into battleground races to defy history and maintain control of Congress.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That allows rights owners to unlock cash from income streams that may continue for decades.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of cash
Verb
  • On Repair, their latest record, Water Damage offers both its unruliest album and their most melodically dense.
    — Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The magnetic approach could offer a less invasive alternative to implanting electrodes.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of offer
Adjective
  • Where Thomas is aloof and proud, Erika is prickly and sardonic, excellent tools for protecting a surprisingly fragile heart.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • My childhood school in Denmark hadn’t been turned to rubble but into an emotional battlefield, a psychological groundhog’s day of explosive arguments, violent brawls—and brief, fragile truces that always shattered when the home bell rung.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragile

Phrases Containing tender

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tendentiousness
tender
tendered
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Cite this Entry

“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tender

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