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
Relevance
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Trista Chan, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
The active ingredients tend to be pretty much the same—taurine, guarana, and, most saliently, caffeine—but the marketing is gentler, the flavors are fruitier, and the cans are cuter.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2025
Zinc oxide is a key ingredient in most infant diaper creams so its ultra gentle.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 30 Dec. 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
For a gentler impact on digestion and blood sugar, try having kombucha with or after meals or snacks.
—Trista Chan, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
The active ingredients tend to be pretty much the same—taurine, guarana, and, most saliently, caffeine—but the marketing is gentler, the flavors are fruitier, and the cans are cuter.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
Dry plane air often leaves skin feeling dull and dehydrated, but applying a few gentle, moisturizing products can make a big difference.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2025
Zinc oxide is a key ingredient in most infant diaper creams so its ultra gentle.
—Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 30 Dec. 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
-
The space is soothing—low lit, a big fireplace, deep sofas in the entry area.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Honey coats the throat and may help reduce coughing, making the combo especially soothing.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At the time, the region was an upland environment surrounded by hot, arid plains — dramatically different from the green, temperate British countryside today.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
-
This region is similar to the Northeast but slightly more temperate and with more regular rainfall.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Martha had no interest in Franco’s aristocratic, fascist Nationalists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The American groups always had very aristocratic, wonderful names.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
They were headed home when the fresh snow, light and soft, suddenly descended from the slopes as one of the most ferocious forces of nature.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Your next best friend Weebles is the ultimate low-maintenance companion looking for a soft place to land in 2026!—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 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,
11 Feb. 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
-
Trying to appease hungry, stone-throwing workers, the English elite carved up twenty acres of land on the outskirts of London into tiny provisioning gardens.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
As students flocked out of schools to protest federal immigration enforcement this past month, school leaders were forced to grapple with how to maintain student safety, enforce policies and appease pressure from conservative leaders.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Allow to sit for 10 minutes to allow cabbage to soften.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Add carrot and celery to the pan and cook until the vegetables soften.—
Mary Ann Esposito,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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