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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of tender
Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
Known for its chicken offerings, with the spotlight on chicken tenders, Slim Chickens also has chicken wings and chicken breast sandwiches.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Yoon’s chief of staff and all other senior presidential secretaries tendered their resignations, his office said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
Forced to reveal his actual profession to Michael as bullets swirl around the screen, Sam’s tenderness and love for his beau are vividly clear as a trembling Michael clings to Sam’s back for protection.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tender 
Adjective
Cook the brisket for 3-4 hours or until the brisket is tender but not falling apart.
—Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 9 Dec. 2024
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
The multi-cooker cooks the chicken and renders some of the fat and water, leaving the meat tender and juicy.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
Known for its chicken offerings, with the spotlight on chicken tenders, Slim Chickens also has chicken wings and chicken breast sandwiches.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
However, the office confirmed that his chief of staff and all senior presidential secretaries had already tendered their resignation.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024
Yoon’s chief of staff and all other senior presidential secretaries tendered their resignations, his office said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
The combination of tenacity and tenderness, sensitivity and strength imbues his music with a generosity that evokes childhood wonder and adult complexity.
—Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
Forced to reveal his actual profession to Michael as bullets swirl around the screen, Sam’s tenderness and love for his beau are vividly clear as a trembling Michael clings to Sam’s back for protection.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
Adjective
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What to Know Since mid-November, reports of drones have surfaced in northeastern states including New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, some near sensitive locations like military bases.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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The case focuses on efforts by Trump and his allies to overturn Georgia's 2020 election result by pressuring state officials and election workers, submitting a slate of false electors and attempting to tamper with sensitive voting equipment.Sam Gringlas, NPR, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Your affectionate nature will be even more noticeable than usual!Kyle Thomas, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
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Golden retrievers, like Arthur, are known for their friendly and affectionate nature.Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Our reporting shows there are more effective and compassionate ways to deal with homeless encampments. by Nicole Santa Cruz Dec. 27, 5:05 a.m.Nicole Santa Cruz, ProPublica, 27 Dec. 2024
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Jon Watts and Christopher Ford's scripts for the first three episodes had already teased the blue alien character could be the beating heart of the show, and the fourth chapter doubles down on his role as a cowardly but compassionate soul.Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Area roads could become dangerously slick Monday morning as a weak system is expected to bring freezing rain overnight, according to the National Weather Service.Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2024
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Houston will be a weaker team in 2025, but one Brown still believes can capture an American League West championship.Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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It's made with silica and jojoba beads for a gentler exfoliation and softer results.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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Cocker’s lessons covered addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as calculation with pre-decimal British currency and a gentle introduction to 17th-century England’s bamboozling array of weights and measures.James Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Rise Court is an alternative sentencing program offered through the Sebastian County Drug Court.Campbell Roper, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024
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Florida’s large urban districts are far more likely to offer the classes, compared to small rural districts, some of which have fewer than 2,000 students.Kate Payne, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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After 50 years of brutal military dictatorship, the country underwent a dramatic if fragile democratic opening during the 2010s.Derek Mitchell, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024
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Yet the uptick in travel to the ends of Earth has a detrimental impact on the environment, further exacerbating the impact of the climate crisis on fragile ecosystems.Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And in a community where it’s supposed to be loving and open arms, safe space for everyone, [that’s] the worst thing that you could get labeled [as].CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Dec. 2024
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Since then, Hilton has shared many loving tributes to her children, including a recent Thanksgiving post.Toria Sheffield, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
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