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
Cover and bake until cloves are golden and tender, about 2 hours. — Jeremy Fox, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 The story delivers tender and tragic daggers to the heart through a series of unsettling encounters that expose the awkwardness of puberty. — Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Garlic confit transforms pungent raw cloves into a sweet, tender, jammy condiment by cooking them slowly in a bath of oil. — Jeremy Fox, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 The first commandment of my Grove tent is that the chicken shall be Popeye’s (dark meat, no tenders), for all the obvious reasons. — Wright Thompson, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
That’s a far cry from the old days when brisket was an inexpensive favorite of working-class Jews who learned to slowly cook this notoriously tough slab of meat to tender perfection. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026 In this week’s issue of PEOPLE, select images from Intimate Audrey offer a closer look at the star’s life outside the spotlight, from her childhood to tender moments with her own family after achieving superstardom. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 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
  • Those could include remote sensors, autonomous underwater vehicles and other equipment that requires persistent, low-visibility power in remote and sensitive offshore and coastal environments, as well as power resiliency for forward military bases.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Musk’s officials infiltrated department after department, canceling contracts, firing employees, viewing sensitive data, and kneecapping programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as foreign aid.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Nina is an affectionate cat who loves to be around people, according to Our Companions Animal Rescue.
    — Our Companions, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The affectionate couple was spotted holding hands and at one point sharing a steamy kiss on their outing.
    — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of affectionate
Adjective
  • Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The vaccine is being used under a compassionate-use program, which allows a medical product to be used in a serious disease situation even though it has not been specifically approved for that particular use.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Now imagine that each bead carries a tiny battery that continuously gives it a gentle push along the chain.
    — K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Designed as a therapeutic companion, the robot resembles a baby seal and uses soft fur, gentle movements, and responsive sounds to create the calming presence of a living pet.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of gentle
Noun
  • West Suburban closed in March, after the hospital’s CEO said problems with the billing systems left the hospital short on cash.
    — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Down payment expectations are meaningfully larger too; these programs generally want the borrower to have real equity in the deal from day one, and the strongest pricing goes to borrowers who bring more cash and better credit.
    — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of cash
Verb
  • Sweet Stack offers a variety of flavors, including plain, strawberry, mango, lemon, thai tea and brown sugar.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, a Democrat, said Uthmeier likely wasn’t called to testify because the grand jury didn’t want to offer him immunity.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of offer
Adjective
  • When their ailing mother comes to live with them, old resentments resurface, forcing both women to confront grief, faith, ambition, and the fragile bonds that hold a family together.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The characters aren’t simply vulnerable—they’re contradictory and fragile.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tender

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