gentled 1 of 2

adjective

as in tamed

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gentled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of gentle
1
as in appeased
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in caressed
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 softened
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gentled
Verb
Lisiecki gentled his way through a Brahms waltz for an encore. — Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentled
  1. domesticated
  2. appeased
  3. caressed
  4. softened
  5. tame
  6. calmed
  7. patted
  8. subdued
Adjective
  • These inventions transformed honey bees from a largely feral species into semi-domesticated livestock that could be managed year-round, expanded, and reproduced.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Definition of domesticated
Verb
  • But the clean provenance and their New York highlife has never appeased Pooh partisans who think Fifth Avenue is much too far from the Hundred Acre Wood.
    — STEVE HENDRIX THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In a 3-0 battering of Scotland, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeased the people of Miami with a Neymar cameo.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 25 June 2026
Definition of appeased
Verb
  • Breasts are caressed and thighs crisscross; kisses are planted, and occasionally there’s a glimpse of something more graphic.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of caressed
Verb
  • Lead times for the iPhone 18 Pro have softened in several markets compared with the prior cycle, while the more expensive Pro Max has held up better, according to JPMorgan's tracking.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Kif Leswing, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The anthem video features Zankov speaking about tactile and nostalgic references, such as leather softened by a long journey and the feeling of cashmere on the skin, that inspired the collection.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of softened
Adjective
  • The debate was somewhat tamer than the two candidates' first faceoff earlier this month, which featured insults and interruptions in virtually every answer.
    — Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Higher prices put the Fed in a bind to keep interest rates elevated to tame inflation.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of tame
Verb
  • But now that internet novelty has calmed down over the last decade or so, people don't use it as much.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Minervini calmed down from there, delivering a more graceful goodbye.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of calmed
Verb
  • And, like with Quincosa, a Customs agent patted Castillo down and found multiple plastic tubes covered in tape concealed under his pants.
    — David Goodhue October 7, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Trump repeatedly patted Xi on the back, a gesture considered highly inappropriate in Chinese political culture.
    — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of patted
Adjective
  • Oddly enough, her two Best Actress plays are both black-and-white, European period pieces, but while Rose is full of gender-bending swagger, Fatherland is a more subdued performance.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Making waves across industries like fashion, beauty, and even interior design, the sensual shade feels more subdued and high-end than alternative reds while being easy to style in the cold-weather months.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of subdued

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gentle
gentled
gentlefolk
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Cite this Entry

“Gentled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentled. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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