tender 1 of 3

adjective

ˈten-dər How to pronounce tender (audio)
Definition of tendernext
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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tender

2 of 3

noun

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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tender

3 of 3

verb

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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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
Adjective
Schnitzel is usually the province of subtler, tenderer meats—your chicken breasts, your veal rounds. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 But on the piano, laser-beamed into his songcraft, he’s quietly electrified, at seemingly at peace as his tenorous vocal glissando and nimble fingerwork on the piano produce shiveringly tender folk ballads that echo Harry Nilsson and Van Morrison. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
Add the cauliflower rice and mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026 Aries March 21 – April 19 A comment from someone close could hit a tender spot today. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
McCuskey tendered his resignation to the LEC last week amid growing criticism over his handling of investigations. — Brenden Moore, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 Skin-On Proteins That crispy, golden chicken skin straight out of the oven—or crunchy cracklin’s clinging to tender pork belly—just can’t happen in a slow cooker. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tender
  1. sensitive
  2. affectionate
  3. compassionate
  4. weak
  5. gentle
  6. cash
  7. offer
  8. fragile
Adjective
  • Another network had received the notification by late Saturday, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive details.
    — Miriam Waldvogel, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Pictet seemed sensitive to the moral risk of going into Syria for the wrong reasons.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • The first five conditions describe any lasting affectionate bond, such as a close friendship.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Columnist Amy Kaufman wrote about how watching affectionate moments between the couple, such as a clip of them kissing, can trigger intense reactions among Swifties.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of affectionate
Adjective
  • Perinatal palliative care is an important and compassionate option.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Rodriguez described her daughter as kind, compassionate and full of life.
    — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The makeup is top-tier, the Aaliyah swoop bang is swooping, and the jewelry accents stand out without doing too much, which is usually her weak spot.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Brennan's maiden win came at the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship in November against an admittedly weaker field.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • This one, steeped in milk and cream, sparks off the roof of your mouth with a gentle chile burn and the pleasantly numbing zap of cloves.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The American Medical Association recommends chin tucks, gentle neck rotations and half-neck circles during the day.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of gentle
Noun
  • Account holders can generally save their money in cash and invest funds within the accounts, similar to a retirement account like a 401(k).
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In 2004, the Pentagon hosted a contest that promised a cash prize to the winner of a driverless race through the desert.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of cash
Verb
  • By upgrading synthetic skin from a passive sensor into an energy harvester, the Fudan team offers a clever alternative to deadweight batteries.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Mitchell-Namdar said Pink Aid’s mission is to provide emergency aid assistance to those struggling during treatment, whether that means paying an electric bill, rent, offering wigs or lymphedema sleeves.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of offer
Adjective
  • Despite the encouraging news, scientists stress that caution remains essential as the island’s fragile ecosystem faces serious environmental threats.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Saturday marks a year since a fragile ceasefire took effect, while Israeli strikes continue.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of fragile

Phrases Containing tender

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tendentiousness
tender
tendered
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Cite this Entry

“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tender. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tender

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