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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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
Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025
Bake until salmon is cooked through and carrots are tender, 12 to 14 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Jam-packed with his absurd self-aware humor, the finale deviates from the show’s usual slapstick raunch with a rare tender moment between Jesse and his equally crude siblings, Judy (Edi Patterson) and Kelvin (Adam DeVine).
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 May 2025
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025
Over the season’s travails, their chemistry deepens from easy and comfortable to fiercely devoted to movingly tender.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Types of pain that can arise in the jaw include tenderness, aching, and feeling an electric shock-like pain radiating through one side of the face through the jaw.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
The meats become incredibly tender, the rice soft and creamy.
—Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025
Bake until salmon is cooked through and carrots are tender, 12 to 14 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Noun
Jesse and Shilpa talk about the key differences that make this shortbread extra-toasty and tender.
—Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 May 2025
Jam-packed with his absurd self-aware humor, the finale deviates from the show’s usual slapstick raunch with a rare tender moment between Jesse and his equally crude siblings, Judy (Edi Patterson) and Kelvin (Adam DeVine).
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 May 2025
Verb
Construction continues on the 1,500-foot-long dock that will allow ships to avoid the tedious process of having to tender passengers by smaller boats to get onshore.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2025
Over the season’s travails, their chemistry deepens from easy and comfortable to fiercely devoted to movingly tender.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
The reconnection that Esme warned would never happen finds its tenderness dashed by the sudden appearance of Jacob.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
Types of pain that can arise in the jaw include tenderness, aching, and feeling an electric shock-like pain radiating through one side of the face through the jaw.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
Security clearance requirements limit the most sensitive jobs to U.S. citizens.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
Even benchmarks can be misleading, since outcomes are highly sensitive to the types of tasks included.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
This dog, who would do best in an active home, loves games of fetch and is also super affectionate.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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He's become incredibly affectionate and loves receiving kisses.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
For 55 years, the characters of Sesame Street have taught us how to count, how to read — and as importantly, how to be kind, empathic and compassionate.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Here’s to more humane, efficient and compassionate processes in the future crafted by politicians on both sides of the aisle.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
And, in the long run, economists say that will translate to a weaker economy and a lower standard of living.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
22 May 2025
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The grand jury also criticizes city officials for weak oversight and enforcement of their contract with the Humane Society, which requires the nonprofit to enforce leash laws at 400 city parks and other venues.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Including Marcelo and his kid, all three of the film’s rival factions are father-son teams, a choice that highlights Filho’s gentle emphasis on the relationship between lineage and identity — and the defiant notion that history is as hard to erase as DNA.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
18 May 2025
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The story is like a gentle hug, wrapping you up in a sense of comfort and contentment.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
Last year, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigator contacted the department’s cold case unit offering to help identify Parks’ remains with the use of forensic genealogy.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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This initiative not only offers these women meaningful employment, but equips them with valuable skills through professional training in garment construction—fostering dignity, independence and long-term empowerment.—
Lauren Parker,
Sourcing Journal,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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In late 1973, Darin failed to take his antibiotics before a routine dental visit — a preventive measure intended to protect his fragile heart.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
22 May 2025
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As neo-colonial dynamics among the expatriate community unravel, this fragile bond becomes his only refuge from an impending collapse into solitude or barbarism.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Soto should, of course, get a loving reception from the Bleacher Creatures on Friday night, no?—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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Tina Knowles remembers growing up in a loving and raucous family of nine.—
Sara Sidner,
CNN Money,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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