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
Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026
The first option is Linh Mai, or spirit blossom, and the second is Thảo Nhi, which means gentle and beloved.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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
Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
Vargo also recalled a kind woman who had a gentle spirit.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026
The first option is Linh Mai, or spirit blossom, and the second is Thảo Nhi, which means gentle and beloved.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
Zinc oxide is a key ingredient in most infant diaper creams so its ultra gentle.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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
Verb
From transformative serums to gentle yet effective cleansers, this list has something for everyone to add to their skincare routine.
—Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
-
In a social, psychological context, Masli is a facilitator, a quirky social worker with a golden leg for an arm, an upswept hairstyle that’s half hair and half hat, a makeshift blue gown that might’ve once been a blanket and a soft-spoken soothing presence.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Being loved does not always feel soothing.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His tone is temperate, but the words echo through the State Capitol’s Assembly chamber, the august backdrop for his speech.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Their distribution appears to be worldwide, but sparse, spanning tropical and temperate waters at depths between 820-4,921 feet (250-1,500 meters).—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
That quotation alludes to the many Proustian echoes in Bowen’s story set in an aristocratic Big House during the 1919-21 War of Independence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
It was restored over the course of a decade and feels elegant and aristocratic without tipping into museum territory, with several reception rooms, a billiard room, a modern kitchen, and seven en-suite bedrooms.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Snag this extra-soft sheet set for 83% off, which is available in numerous colors and sizes.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Jan. 2026
-
So too is the ancient dining room at Scotti's, with its Chianti bottle candle holders dripping with wax and soft opera music always playing through the speakers.—
Keith Pandolfi,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Published in 1842, Poe’s story follows Prince Prospero, who retreats with a group of nobles into a fortified abbey as a deadly plague ravages the countryside.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Jan. 2026
-
VIPs included Princesse Lamballe of Italy and the Polignacs, a family of French nobles, including her bestie, the Duchesse de Polignac, along with an attractive buffet of artists, musicians, and actors.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But that hasn’t appeased protesters at demonstrations throughout Los Angeles County.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The food finally lands with the guests, their dumb whims having been appeased.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The actor followed her around at several events related to the wedding, eventually caressing the back of her arm and pressing his knee against hers under the table.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Media night softened it temporarily and made entertainment out of the mundane practice of reporting.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The spring collection offers relaxed silhouettes, softened tailoring and fabric innovation.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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