SINCE 1828
gentleness
noun
gen·tle·ness
| \ ˈjen-tᵊl-nəs
\
\
Definition of gentleness
: the quality or state of being gentle
especially
: mildness of manners or disposition
Examples of gentleness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For generations, men have been taught to reject traits like gentleness and sensitivity, leaving them without the tools to deal with internalized anger and frustration. — Melanie Hamlett, Harper's BAZAAR, "Men Have No Friends and Women Bear the Burden," 2 May 2019 His civility and gentleness weren’t charades paraded for the public moment. — WSJ, "Rest in Peace, George Herbert Walker Bush," 5 Dec. 2018 The Rug Doctor has earned the highest rating from the Carpet & Rug Institute — the trade organization of the carpet industry — for soil removal, water removal, and gentleness. — Sarah Bogdan, Good Housekeeping, "The Best Carpet Cleaners to Buy in 2019," 15 Jan. 2019 Underneath its branches are six animals, each symbolizing a different ideal: an owl for wisdom, a dove for peace, a horse for wisdom, a deer for gentleness, a peacock for beauty, a mouse for curiosity. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "See Diane von Furstenberg’s Seriously Chic London Christmas Tree," 27 Nov. 2018 But these small nods to whimsy, to gentleness, and to more vulnerable emotions are a vital reminder that humanity, despite all current appearances to the contrary, has evolved beyond fear-mongering, violence, and hatred of the Other. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Dank no more: internet memes are evolving from edgy to cute.," 3 Oct. 2018 High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer #31523 received very good cleaning scores in our evaluation and scored average on our water retention and gentleness assessments. — The Good Housekeeping Institute, Good Housekeeping, "Kenmore Elite 4.7 cu. ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer #31523," 6 Apr. 2014 More than a few mothers needed his gentleness, too. — Angela Rocco Decarlo, WSJ, "Mister Rogers Lives Forever in My Heart," 30 July 2018 But don't let its gentleness fool you — this stuff is still just as effective, thanks to those papaya fruit enzymes, which chemically slough away dead skin without any sort of scrubbing involved. — Sophie Wirt, Allure, "Exclusive: Tatcha Is Giving Its Fan-Favorite Rice Enzyme Powder a Makeover," 31 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gentleness.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on gentleness
What made you want to look up gentleness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Farm Idioms Quiz
-
- What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share gentleness
Resources for gentleness