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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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

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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
Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender. — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Place the baking sheet in a preheated 400°F oven and roast for 30–35 minutes, or until the squash is tender and browned around the edges. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
While the tender is primarily focused on the 2030 World Cup, interested parties will also have the option to submit offers for the 2034 installment in Saudi Arabia. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Shapira fills a plate with a crab cake, two chicken tenders, and a salad, lamenting the fattiness of American food. — Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
Braise for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is almost cooked through and tender (and registers 155° to 160°F on an instant-read thermometer, inserted away from the bone). — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 26 Sep. 2026 Fall pruning may trigger tender new growth that is vulnerable to winter damage. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 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
  • Some highly sensitive issues include relations with the European Union and Russia, but the primary focus will be dealing with corruption.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • There may be time-sensitive observations or decisions that need to be made before any instruction could arrive.
    — Dr. Najwa Aaraj, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitive
Adjective
  • Motherhood may not have been her calling, but Sabrina Popo was a loving and affectionate grandmother.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Despite their stunning ensembles, their most important accessory was their obvious connection, shown through affectionate hugs, smiles, knowing glances, and mutual support.
    — Alessia Amorosini, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of affectionate
Adjective
  • Others discussed overcoming the initial awkwardness of the work and finding satisfaction in helping doctors become more competent and compassionate.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • At the same time, the lawsuits contend that chatbots are pretending to be agreeable and compassionate while preying on the vulnerable and on teenagers, the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence.
    — Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The age-old advice of keeping your passwords secure and being wary of suspicious emails is more important than ever as hackers gain more sophisticated tools and use AI to find more of the internet’s weak points.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Analysts expect profits and assets to cover the dividend through weaker timber periods.
    — Sebastien Chasse, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of weak
Adjective
  • Some gentle chemical sunscreens to try include Beauty of Joseon’s Day Dew Sunscreen or the Supergoop!
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The movie is replete with long moments of silence, intense stares and gentle teasing and probing among the four that can feel particularly electric to some viewers.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of gentle
Noun
  • The 2026 midterm elections are set to become the most expensive on record, as Republicans pour cash into battleground races to defy history and maintain control of Congress.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That allows rights owners to unlock cash from income streams that may continue for decades.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of cash
Verb
  • Dummy’s third full-length release tasks itself with offering an affirmation of life, spelled out in no uncertain terms through the thwack of DnB drumlines, abrasive distortion, and incisive songwriting.
    — Sue Park, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Like Kostka, Torito is committed to offering health insurance for his employees, even as his own costs rise.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of offer
Adjective
  • Where Thomas is aloof and proud, Erika is prickly and sardonic, excellent tools for protecting a surprisingly fragile heart.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • My childhood school in Denmark hadn’t been turned to rubble but into an emotional battlefield, a psychological groundhog’s day of explosive arguments, violent brawls—and brief, fragile truces that always shattered when the home bell rung.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tender

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