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 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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tender
Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Freeman’s fortes are thin-crust pizzas made with whole wheat and vibrant veggie plates with coarse elements such as crunchy French radishes and tender Mokum carrots.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Because Venus moves with care and Saturn firms our will, tenderness works best with steady backbone.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
But the rustic goat fry, its flavors concentrated, its meat ridiculously tender but with a skosh of crispy, is just as wondrous.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Freeman’s fortes are thin-crust pizzas made with whole wheat and vibrant veggie plates with coarse elements such as crunchy French radishes and tender Mokum carrots.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 4 June 2026
Noun
For overcooked pasta that's become tough after sitting out, toss in a hot skillet with a little reserved pasta water, broth, or sauce to restore its moisture and tenderness.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Because Venus moves with care and Saturn firms our will, tenderness works best with steady backbone.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
-
In a chat with Mica, George apologized for not being sensitive to her feelings following the recoupling.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
7 June 2026
-
These burn areas create barriers around villages, headwaters and sensitive sites, protecting them from wildfires during peak drought.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Müller joins their ranks with these affectionate images.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
The actress and estranged wife of actor Jason Biggs is stirring controversy on social media after sharing a pair of affectionate photos with her eldest son, Sid.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Back in 2014, the company secured FDA authorization for a compassionate-use protocol allowing the Hemopurifier to be used in up to 20 patients with Ebola across 10 clinical sites in the United States.—
Elie Dolgin,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 June 2026
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Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch of humor.—
R Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
As the story goes, attendance was weak, the weather was bad, and the tournament experience was just lacking.—
James Burky,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
As many as 40 states combine one-party control with institutional barriers weak enough to fall to political pressure.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Chongqing-style chicken rustling with red chiles, mapo tofu and gentle Hainan chicken rice check boxes for mass appeal.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Her mother had been a schoolteacher and Boston had a teacher’s gentle manner and studious tone.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
This seemingly random act of kindness is not without strings, as DeMille alludes to working together more in the future.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
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Watching together gives parents a chance to support kids in thinking critically about social dynamics and how to respond with kindness and courage.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Despite these measures, the rupee remains fragile.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Glory to God, a facility that provides physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and schooling for medically fragile children, is among those affected.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Russell, who has been in a relationship with Hawn since 1983, has long been a loving stepdad to her two kids.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
7 June 2026
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Well, those folks might have a much more loving relationship with the Aether valve stem, which does away with a traditional Presta valve's problematic core.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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