The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word TENDER
T
E
N
D
E
R
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Gentle/proposal" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case gentle/proposal = tender.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TENDER mean?
TENDER noun- Care, kind concern, regard.
- The inner flight muscle (pectoralis minor) of poultry.
- Sensitive or painful to the touch.
- Easily bruised or injured; not firm or hard; delicate.
- Physically weak; not able to endure hardship.
- (of food) Soft and easily chewed.
- Sensible to impression and pain; easily pained.
- Fond, loving, gentle, sweet.
- Young and inexperienced.
- Adapted to excite feeling or sympathy; expressive of the softer passions; pathetic.
- Apt to give pain; causing grief or pain; delicate.
- Heeling over too easily when under sail; said of a vessel.
- Exciting kind concern; dear; precious.
- Careful to keep inviolate, or not to injure; used with of.
- Tenderly
- To make tender or delicate; to weaken.
- To feel tenderly towards; to regard fondly or with consideration.
- Someone who tends or waits on someone.
- A railroad car towed behind a steam engine to carry fuel and water.
- A naval ship that functions as a mobile base for other ships.
- A smaller boat used for transportation between a large ship and the shore.
- To work on a tender.
- Anything which is offered, proffered, put forth or bid with the expectation of a response, answer, or reply.
- A means of payment such as a check or cheque, cash or credit card.
- A formal offer to buy or sell something.
- Any offer or proposal made for acceptance.
- To offer, to give.
- To offer a payment, as at sales or auctions.