tender 1 of 4

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 4

noun (1)

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 4

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

tenderness

4 of 4

noun (2)

ˈten-dər-nəs How to pronounce tenderness (audio)
as in kindness
sympathetic concern for the well-being of others volunteers at the shelter tended to all the animals in their care with great tenderness

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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
For the most part, scented geraniums are grown as annuals and replaced each year; however, gardeners in Zones 10 and 11 can grow these plants as tender perennials and enjoy them for years to come. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026 The steak was smoky and tender, with the kind of char that lingers without overwhelming the meat. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Noun
In a large pot of boiling water, cook macaroni 7 to 9 minutes, or just until tender. — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 Roughly two months after testing them in select markets, Costco officially introduced a new chicken tenders menu option to its food courts nationwide. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Verb
The Flyers tendered the five-year, $90-million offer sheet to Carlsson on Friday, which would require four of the Flyers’ first-round draft picks in each of the next four seasons as compensation. — Dan Gelston, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026 On Friday, the Philadelphia Flyers tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
Noun
At Yakumi, guests can discover Akune beef, a premium Japanese wagyu known for its fine marbling, tenderness and refined richness. — Ching Dee, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 There’s a tenderness for the town that feels palpable in the design. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 7 July 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
  • As the man building rings and providing backdrops with the event names on them for big press conferences, he is often trusted with sensitive information long before it is announced.
    — Chris McKenna, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The risk manager requested anonymity to discuss sensitive business interests.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Prince William and Kate Middleton's increasingly affectionate public appearances have caught royal watchers' attention, with experts saying the couple are entering a happier, more relaxed chapter following a difficult few years.
    — Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • After all, if my brothers could be annoying, affectionate, and self-aggrandizing all at once, why couldn’t a man in the history books?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of affectionate
Adjective
  • The show featured the late Chief Judge Frank Caprio, who was known for his compassionate and humorous approach in the courtroom.
    — Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 16 July 2026
  • Neill is great at balancing the aggro energy of Zane with his intellectual, compassionate style.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Even durable bouclé material won’t save a sofa built on a weak foundation.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Further, the hinge mechanism provides a bit more assistance, and the magnets are a bit weaker, reducing the force needed to open the phone by half.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Two of Latin alternative’s gentlest souls combine their heart-on-your-sleeve electronic and indie-folk impulses for a breezy, languorous collaborative record.
    — E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
  • Underwater speakers played gentle music, bringing me back and signaling the hour was up.
    — Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026
Definition of gentle
Noun
  • Police located a third gun and an undisclosed amount of cash inside of a bag in a closet, BPD said.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 July 2026
  • Conforti, an energy consultant making her third run for Congress, had less than $23,000 in campaign cash as of June 30.
    — Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Definition of cash
Verb
  • That convergence is drawing together businesses that once occupied separate corners of the market, from consumer staples companies selling food to biotech firms developing medicines and veterinary providers offering increasingly sophisticated care.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • The audio of the sports stars’ heated conversation is largely inaudible, so Paul hopped online to offer his side of the story.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of offer
Adjective
  • That summer, land next to the Okefenokee Swamp that was slated for a titanium mine was purchased by The Conservation Fund, spelling an end to a project some had feared could irreparably damage the fragile ecosystem.
    — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Given an increasingly fragile fiscal backdrop, more may follow.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 19 July 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tender

Nglish: Translation of tender for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tender

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