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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tender
Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
Bathed in oil, every bite is a flavor bomb of tender and aromatic fish and tofu.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Josh Weiss, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
There’s a tender dynamic between the two, a kind of sublimated love that comes from mutual understanding.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Zoe Whitfield, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
The longer the mixture sits, the creamier and more tender the pancakes.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Adjective
Simmer on low heat for approximately 5 hours or until the goat meat is very tender and easily comes off the bone.
—Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
Bathed in oil, every bite is a flavor bomb of tender and aromatic fish and tofu.
—Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
What begins as a tender meeting of the minds, soon devolves into a heated argument over whether Innie Mark should help his Outie free Outie Mark’s wife, Gemma (Dichen Lachman), from the bowels of Lumon.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
There’s a tender dynamic between the two, a kind of sublimated love that comes from mutual understanding.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
This intimacy, married with care, was a central component of the project, and established a sense of trust that accommodated the recording of otherwise private and often tender moments (sometimes with the filmmakers in the room, other times with the cameras left rolling).
—Zoe Whitfield, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
The longer the mixture sits, the creamier and more tender the pancakes.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
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The rise in interest rates and inflation could dampen the growth prospects of shale oil producers, particularly smaller companies that are highly sensitive to borrowing costs.—
Steven Dudash,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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Questioning Tulsi Gabbard about her appointment as the director of National Intelligence, Republican senators begged her to agree with them that Edward Snowden was a traitor for leaking sensitive documents and then fleeing to Moscow.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Tie Waist Dress Meghan Markle has been giving us a glimpse into her life lately on Instagram, and in an affectionate Valentine’s Day tribute to husband Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex wore another practical dress style: a tie waist.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Large crowds gather at the Front Wave Stadium in Oceanside where thousands watch the Los Angeles Clippers G team play basketball while youth basketball leagues fill gymnasiums with multicultural teams of youngsters and their cheering, affectionate parents.—
Mary Wolshok,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Also there is having to balance being compassionate and caring while also remembering that this is a business.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
-
But White and Jonas haven’t built an anxious or a particularly compassionate Jamie.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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However, this same quantum state sensitivity makes these atoms ideal for detecting extremely weak signals.—
Paul Lipman,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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In contrast, the founders of the United States, fearful of tyranny, created a weak federal government that could barely impose taxes, let alone establish a national theater.—
Joanna Dee Das,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Just love, patience, and someone who sees the beauty in older cats with soft hearts and gentle spirits.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
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The Friend functions perfectly well as a dog picture, a movie about a frazzled single woman learning to care for a gentle but unruly animal in the big, bad city.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Think a heavier share of investments in bonds and cash, less in riskier stocks.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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And if everyone else is going to break bad, why can’t Belinda get a little cash to jumpstart her business?—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
John Russell,
People.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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The approach provides just a hint of what the home offers.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For those with fragile hair, Philip Kingsley’s fortifying shampoo aims to give the appearance of thicker, stronger strands.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
4 Apr. 2025
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Newborn caterpillars are too fragile to endure the sort of violent conflicts observed in other territorial animals, from ants to elephants, which can be deadly.—
Becky Ferreira,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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