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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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The recall notice describes the product as a nail polish remover used for fast, safe and gentle removal of gel nail polish and builder gel.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Such symptoms can be helped by gentling cleaning the outside of your eye with warm water to remove crust and avoiding aggravating your symptoms by scratching or rubbing your eyes.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
Begin your hike at Linville Falls Visitor Center with a gentle climb on the out-and-back trail.
—Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
The recall notice describes the product as a nail polish remover used for fast, safe and gentle removal of gel nail polish and builder gel.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Its gentle without forsaking cleanliness, and leaves skin feeling softer after each use.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
Yet he was gentled by his intense spiritualism, as shown by his teaching Sunday School.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Such symptoms can be helped by gentling cleaning the outside of your eye with warm water to remove crust and avoiding aggravating your symptoms by scratching or rubbing your eyes.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
-
Spray dry toilet paper with cleansing, soothing and refreshing Pristine to create an instant wet wipe that is actually flushable and safe for your sewer and septic systems.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The final stretch, though, was less soothing as Plourde nudged ahead to stay.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Creeping Phlox Also known as moss phlox, creeping phlox is a native perennial that offers profuse blooms in shades of white, pink, purple, and red as soon as early April in temperate climates.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Tour more than a dozen outdoor gardens, including an herb garden, children's garden, and rose garden; tropical and temperate plants thrive in the 17,500-square-foot conservatory.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
From her former relationship with the Duke to her family’s cottage in Cornwall, it’s been hinted that Lindsay comes from a wealthy, maybe even aristocratic British background, yet she is treated like a concierge by Ava and her friends.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, once an aristocratic mansion, falls somewhere between the avant-garde works at the Reina Sofia and the traditional Spanish art at the Prado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But a never ending stream of soft contact leading to one zero after another on the scoreboard.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Non-stretch fabrics quickly become uncomfortable mid-flight, but this Anrabess Two-piece Set is made from soft, stretchy material that moves with your body while still looking put together.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This observation was recorded in part by a Japanese noble named Fujiwara no Sadaie in his diary, entitled Meigetsuki.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
10 Apr. 2026
-
On June 15, 1215, rebellious nobles compelled King John of England to sign the Magna Carta.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the season comes to an intense close, Austin follows Ashley and Lindsay to Korea to appease their boss, Chairwoman Park (Youn Yuh-jung), who makes a dangerous demand.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
-
To appease tensions, John surrendered England to the pope in 1213, turning the kingdom into a papal fief.—
Joëlle Rollo-Koster,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Electric Bleu is French food caressed with California seasonality and the occasional pop of Aussie nostalgia.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
And through all this, Saariaho’s elaborately beautiful orchestration scintillates, jabs, caresses, and swerves, giving all that vivid misery a sheen of lyric glamour.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To soften his envy and then shape it, and to find something else to do with all that nervous energy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Vertical slats of glazed terra-cotta on ARO’s addition block the glare, soften the surface, and stripe the view from inside the gallery.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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