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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
a very tender child who always seems to be sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
The two, 29-year-old tenders, are signed through next season, with Jarry earning $5.365 million AAV compared to Nedelkkovic’s $2.5 million.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 29 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
Chickweed is also used as a salve to reduce itching and abscesses, and the tender shoots are delicious in salad.
—Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
The two, 29-year-old tenders, are signed through next season, with Jarry earning $5.365 million AAV compared to Nedelkkovic’s $2.5 million.
—Tyler Small, Forbes.com, 29 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
-
In late March, four Taiwanese soldiers, three of whom were part of a unit that provides security for Taiwan’s Presidential Office, were jailed for up to seven years after being convicted of selling pictures of sensitive information to China.—
Eryk Michael Smith,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Cooling, calming, and tailor-made for sensitive skin, this mask drapes delicately across your face to deliver a serious hit of cica (Centella asiatica) and allantoin—soothing redness and dryness in minutes.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
10 Apr. 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
-
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
-
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
-
After seven episodes of pained teeth-gritting and wide-eyed astonishment, he’s found closure in confronting the man who killed his father (or not) and finding only a weak old guy too sickly to punch.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
-
However, a weaker dollar, resulting from tariffs and other policies, makes that harder for exporters.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Momoa opted for softer style, wearing a suit in a gentle pink tone.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
His video shows his grandmother and her dog, Gucci, through their daily moments together—gentle walks with the pup trotting along in a pink sweater; cuddles on the couch; and play.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The company reported cash provided by operating activities of $578,218, while cash used in investing and financing activities was $3,527,929 and $869,896, respectively.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The company anticipates that its current cash resources and revenue from DefenCath will be sufficient to fund operations for at least the next twelve months.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
25 Mar. 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
-
The approach provides just a hint of what the home offers.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The expenses are high because 436 state employees currently care for the fragile elderly in a setting where the caregiver-to-resident ratio is more than 4 to 1.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Clashes this month in the town of Nasir between government forces and a Nuer militia known as the White Army have shaken the nation’s fragile peace.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share