tender

modif.

1. Soft

   delicate, fragile, supple; see soft 2.

2. Youthful

   immature, childish, childlike; see young 1.

3. Kind

   kind, warm, warmhearted, sympathetic, loving, solicitous, compassionate; see also kind.

4. Weak

   fragile, frail, delicate; see weak 1.

5. Touching

   moving, pathetic, affecting; see pitiful 1.

6. Sensitive

   delicate, dainty, touchy, ticklish, oversensitive, hypersensitive, painful; see also raw 5, sore.

tender implies a softness or gentleness in one's relations with others that is expressive of warm affection, concern, etc. a tender caress; compassionate is applied to one who is easily affected by another's troubles or pains and is quick to show pity or mercy a compassionate judge; sympathetic implies the ability or disposition to enter into another's mental state or emotions and thus to share sorrows, joys, desires, etc. a sympathetic interest in a colleague's career; warm and warmhearted suggest an interest or affection characterized by cordiality, generosity, etc. warm, or warmhearted, hospitality

tender

v.