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- pronunciation:
- ten
d
 r
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
tenderer, tenderest |
| definition 1: |
When meat or other food is tender, it is somewhat soft and easy to chew.
The beef was cooked for too long and now it is not tender.Joe's dad doesn't like crunchy vegetables. He likes them to be tender.- synonyms:
- soft
- antonyms:
- tough
- similar words:
- chewable, crushable, delicate, fragile
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| definition 2: |
When something is tender, it has or shows a gentle or sweet feeling. If someone's words are tender, they show love or kindness in a gentle way.
The new mother spoke tender words to her baby.The nurse's tender touch calmed the little child.- synonyms:
- affectionate, fond
- antonyms:
- harsh, rough
- similar words:
- gentle, kind, loving, mild, sympathetic, warm
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| definition 3: |
If a part of your body is tender, it is sore or sensitive, often from an injury or illness.
Maya's knee is healing well, but it's still a little tender.- synonyms:
- sensitive
- similar words:
- sore
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| definition 4: |
When something is tender, it can be hurt easily. It is delicate.
The young plants are tender and need to be watered gently.What the older boys said hurt the younger boy's tender feelings.- synonyms:
- delicate, fragile
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| related words: |
sensitive, soft, vulnerable |
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| derivations: |
tenderly (adv.), tenderness (n.) |
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