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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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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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
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Recent Examples of tender
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours and then reduce to low and continue cooking until potatoes are tender, about 2 hours more or cook on low for 6 hours.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 15 Apr. 2025
Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
By Renato Granieri At first glance, Mini Winnie captures a tender exchange between species.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
This essentially replicates a scheme which DOGE oversaw, via the Office of Personnel Management, from January 28 that offered most federal employees full pay and benefits for several months in exchange for tendering their resignations.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Side effects of black cohosh may include breast tenderness, dizziness, tiredness, and headache.18
Licorice Root
Licorice root is an herb used as a flavor additive to food and beverages.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
That means fresh and tender asparagus spears, crunchy snap pea pods, and spicy radishes are in season.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours and then reduce to low and continue cooking until potatoes are tender, about 2 hours more or cook on low for 6 hours.
—Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Our readers swear by the crispy chicken tenders, the crinkle cut fries, and of course, the iconic Cane’s Sauce that seems to make everything taste better.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
By Renato Granieri At first glance, Mini Winnie captures a tender exchange between species.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
Comic pastiche gives way to tender romantic ballads only to explode in musical psychodrama.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
This essentially replicates a scheme which DOGE oversaw, via the Office of Personnel Management, from January 28 that offered most federal employees full pay and benefits for several months in exchange for tendering their resignations.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
Reduces Inflammation Dragon fruit's anti-inflammatory properties may help with pain and swelling, reducing chronic pain, inflammation, and tenderness from rheumatoid arthritis.6
7.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Side effects of black cohosh may include breast tenderness, dizziness, tiredness, and headache.18
Licorice Root
Licorice root is an herb used as a flavor additive to food and beverages.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
Historically, he's been sensitive to them, but his focus seems more on pushing his agenda than chasing approval numbers.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
If the plant is especially sensitive to sitting in water, raise it up by setting a small plank or block underneath.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Their demeanor may change in unexpected ways, such as becoming more alert to potential dangers, barking more, or maybe even being more affectionate.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
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Read: OpenAI goes MAGA The dissonance is part of the broader experience of tech—a field that, for the consumer, can feel less affectionate than addling.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Officials expect about 100 prisoners each year will qualify for compassionate release, Buis said.—
Don Thompson,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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When delivering bad news, be succinct and compassionate.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Weak Treasury Demand Moved Rates More recently, in the wake of the administration’s chaotic trade policy rollout, Treasury security auctions did not go as expected, with weak demand pushing rates up higher than everyone expected.—
Norbert Michel,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Iran was at its weakest point since the 1980s, maybe since the Iranian revolution in 1979.—
Quinn Scanlan,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Follow discipline with a calm, comforting debrief Debriefing conversations should be gentle and happen after everyone has calmed down.—
Caroline Fleck, Contributor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
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This square isn’t necessarily gentle, but these big, bold and potentially unsettling shifts are ultimately necessary for our growth.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Among its facilities is an underground cafeteria with seating for 300 people, which offers a sense of how many people could be housed there.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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Annie Stafford, 29, lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is the founder of business Ford Wardrobe, which offers courses on how to sew.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Automation reduces labor dependency, stabilizes production costs, and ends our reliance on fragile, offshore supply chains.—
Cam Myers,
Sourcing Journal,
28 Apr. 2025
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In public comments to the federal agency, city leaders stressed how the Big Easy's already fragile, aging drinking water infrastructure would have trouble withstanding the impacts if the 2024 sill were to breach.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These institutions make our lives sweet, loving and creative, rather than nasty, brutish and short.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2025
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These passages also reinforced his vision of a more inclusive and loving church, one that follows the example set by Jesus in the Gospels.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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