1
as in soothing
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
use a gentle detergent on that delicate silk blouse her gentle ways
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temperate
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
whisk the egg yolks in a double boiler set over a gentle heat
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3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
loved reading about the days when gentle lords and ladies danced at fancy balls
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4
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
the mother spoke in a gentle voice to her child
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as in noble
a man or woman of high birth or social position
the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness
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1
as in to appease
to lessen the anger or agitation of
employees soon learned that their hot-tempered boss needed to be gentled several times a day
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2
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
soothingly gentled his cat's head as she was being treated by the vet
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3
as in to soften
to lessen the shock of
adding a bit of sugar to the salsa will gentle the hot spiciness of the chili peppers
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 July 2025
While some praised the mom for her gentle parenting approach, others called it performative and criticized Hocker for posting the moment online.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
This gentle for your skin option features collagen, and other ingredients known to help lock in moisture in your skin for reduced risk of eczema breakouts.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2024
Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
Stefan, a vampire too gentle to drink human blood, eventually loses Elena to his brother, Damon, the cruel killer with a tender side just for her.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 29 July 2025
While some praised the mom for her gentle parenting approach, others called it performative and criticized Hocker for posting the moment online.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025
Noun
Thursday’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a gentle to moderate breeze expected, although there will be occasional gusts up to 23 mph.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
This gentle for your skin option features collagen, and other ingredients known to help lock in moisture in your skin for reduced risk of eczema breakouts.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2024
Verb
The material doesn’t want sophisticated adults mucking about in it or, worse, gentling its hard edges for commercial consumption.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
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This nursery is soothing and peaceful, yet offers plenty of room to create, imagine, and explore through play.—
Nina Derwin,
Architectural Digest,
18 July 2025
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Lavender’s movement in the breeze and soothing scent add more sensory layers to the space.—
Lauren Dunec Hoang,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Those individuals experienced up to an 8 percent additional drop in kidney function each year compared with those living in temperate climates.—
Nora Bradford,
Scientific American,
29 July 2025
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The list includes places like Malta, a five-island nation with terrific beaches, a temperate climate and low crime, and Belize, the only Central American country with English as its official language.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Both Giulio, who comes from a Sicilian aristocratic family, and Ketty, who is more lower class, use lots of drugs — pot in particular.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
29 July 2025
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Luxury travelers can check into the aristocratic haven of Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli as soon as April 1, with superior rooms starting at 1,320 euros.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Paint your walls in a softer, creamier yellow, for example.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
1 Aug. 2025
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On the data side, expect the major economic reports to face a greater level of scrutiny following Friday’s soft jobs report and ugly downward revisions.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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However, to prevent the glass furnaces from causing fires, the nobles exiled the glassmakers – under penalty of death – to the island of Murano.—
Peter Mullner,
The Conversation,
3 July 2025
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Landscape paintings and portraits of nobles jostled for attention alongside historical paintings and imagined scenes from Shakespeare’s plays.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
Verb
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To rob them and their kids of their voices in Congress, all to appease the Republican Party’s cult leader in the White House.—
Eleanor Dearman
Updated August 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Aug. 2025
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While the government has not given into the pressure to release the full Epstein files, the request for the grand jury materials is one of a few more limited steps the DOJ has taken to try and appease the public.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Verb
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The Argentina captain caressed the ball and laid it softly on the Hard Rock Stadium grass.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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Groff sang his song as Reeves looked into the camera with wide eyes and at one point, reached down to caress Reeves’ chest and face.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
Verb
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On the campaign trail, the president spent time courting faith leaders throughout the country, often refusing to soften his language in those venues as well.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
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By then, Trump had softened his tariff stance and the markets had rebounded accordingly.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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