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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of gentle
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
This gentle, mostly downhill trail meanders past five crystal-clear Alpine lakes, each perfectly framing the Matterhorn like nature’s own postcard.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 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
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
The gentle terrain is perfect for beginners, but experienced cyclists will also find plenty of opportunities to explore beyond the main route.
—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2026
This gentle, mostly downhill trail meanders past five crystal-clear Alpine lakes, each perfectly framing the Matterhorn like nature’s own postcard.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
28 June 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
Lisiecki gentled his way through a Brahms waltz for an encore.
—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
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The space has a dramatic 28-foot Palladian rotunda, a saltwater soaking tub, a sauna, a steam room and a wall of water that creates a soothing, flowing sound.
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That leaves us with smart solutions and savvy helpers that are specifically designed to minimize the heat, remove stuffiness, and provide soothing, cooling relief.
Adjective
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Best Time to Visit Since San Luis Obispo is located near California's coast, the climate stays temperate all year round.
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With warm temperatures in the summer that remain temperate through the winter, there’s never a bad time to visit Biloxi.
Adjective
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The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
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Because of previous demand, over 20,000 people had been employed in buckle manufacture in the Birmingham area, but when this aristocratic fashion suddenly collapsed in 1786 on the eve of the French Revolution, their trade collapsed along with it.
Adjective
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Play soft music to drown out fireworks blasts and give your pet something to do, like putting treats inside an interactive toy, to keep them calm and happy.
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This relaxed pick is incredibly soft, really cute, and surprisingly easy to style.
Noun
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While life expectancy was lower during the 15th Century, nobles like Simonetta often lived longer due in part to their wealth.
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One of these high-ranking British nobles was the Earl of Euston.
Verb
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But the rollercoaster ride for AI could get bumpier with the latest reporting on OpenAI looking for ways to appease the White House.
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Columbus isn’t going to just move a Norris Trophy winner to appease the player.
Verb
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After examining her injury, Brito began to caress and massage Patient 1’s foot under the guise of providing care.
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Richer, more concentrated Prosecco with delectable flavors of nectarine tart and apricot preserves with intense minerality and delicate bubbles that caress the palate.
Verb
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According to Ceconi, these products don’t actually soften, but instead deposit a waxy coating on the fabric.
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And that's especially critical this July with inflation surging again, wages softening and higher borrowing costs expected to remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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