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
Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, massage the area, do gentle stretches, or place ice or heating packs in 20- to 30-minute bouts on your body.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2024
Glock’s music is historically not a statement of record for the sheepish and the gentle.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2023
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
Brisk Walking Walking is gentle, low-impact, and excellent for exercise beginners or seniors.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, massage the area, do gentle stretches, or place ice or heating packs in 20- to 30-minute bouts on your body.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
Glock’s music is historically not a statement of record for the sheepish and the gentle.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2023
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
-
Designed with wellness in mind, the center’s architecture and amenities, such as natural lighting and soothing environments, aim to support both medical and emotional health.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The five blades are cloaked in aloe soap for a close, soothing shave, and the handle comes with a magnetic mount that fends off icky rust and sticks to the shower wall for easy access.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Box tree moths are native to temperate and subtropical climates in Asia and were first reported in Ohio in June 2023.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Tokyo has always been a major tourist destination, particularly in late March through early April, when billowy cherry blossoms take center stage and temperate weather is the norm.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Jessica Capshaw as Blythe HartCapshaw plays Blythe, Don's wife and the matriarch of an aristocratic Nashville family.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
7 Oct. 2025
-
His aristocratic tastes are reflected in his various building projects, the remains of which have been excavated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Take the front row, for example, where Russell was fitted with medium tires and Verstappen was on soft tires.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
These unique washcloths only need water to remove makeup like foundation, concealer, and blush, and are soft and gentle enough to wipe away stubborn mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow around the delicate eye area.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Or Florian Geyer, a noble who also led peasant armies and was finally knifed by an assassin.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Across much of Europe until the 20th century, these cabin-like compartments would carry voyaging nobles over oceans and mountains in ‘bed carriages’ aboard ships and trains.—
Chloe Frost-Smith,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hearing held to 'appease' defendant Campbell’s plea withdrawal eventually went before Judge Leslie Ghiz.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Nevertheless, Ed still idolized Augusta and would grow to become obsessed with appeasing her, according to Biography.—
Yasmeen Hamadeh,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The Young Pope star was seen caressing Coan’s back and whispering in her ear.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That initial white chocolate softens into something creamier and woodier as the hours pass.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Expect Hamas to try to equivocate, buy time, soften language, and insist on impossible guarantees while preserving levers of power.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
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