as in nobles
a man or woman of high birth or social position
the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in appeases
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 caresses
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
soothingly gentled his cat's head as she was being treated by the vet
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in softens
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentles
Noun
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The Rats live fast and without fear, stealing from tax collectors and nobles.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025 -
Caesar is a conspiracy of nobles; the removal of hundreds of (alleged) Venezuelan gang members is the action of ICE.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Then Jennifer Tilly’s hand gently caresses Gina Gershon’s face from her cheek down to her chin.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Gently simmer until the garlic softens, about 20 minutes.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
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The fabric is washing machine safe and softens with age.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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From hot scientists to charming aristocrats to dancing princes, here are Bailey’s sexiest onscreen roles thus far.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
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Set in the English countryside, the film uses the classic plot of a lower class criminal working his way up through the hierarchy in order to extract laughs from an ensemble of eccentric aristocrats.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Aloe vera instantly soothes dryness, while jojoba, camellia, and almond oils keep your lips plush, soft, and supported.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Mori Nozomi is a serene, eight-seat sushi counter in the Sawtelle neighborhood in West LA, where the interior (blonde wood, ikebana flower arrangements, handmade ceramics from Japan) soothes and the food, a 26-course omakase, stands out even in LA’s highly saturated sushi scene.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The clip, shared by Sarah Ingle (@saraheingle), a dedicated dog fosterer, shows seven-month-old Cookie Crisps nestled in her arms while Ingle gently pats her bottom.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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As a matter of fact, pats on the back are probably very few and far between.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The monastery is central to the story, and its elder—named Zosima in the novel—comforts a woman who has lost her child, aged two years and nine months, with words that echo those uttered by Ambrose.—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
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Redford played Officer Harold Beldon, a gentle embodiment of Death who comforts an elderly woman terrified of dying.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
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In the town’s maternity ward, the only functioning facility of its kind for miles, Taisiya strokes Assol, her daughter born Sunday into a world where suddenly the risks of being in Sloviansk have multiplied.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
11 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Gentles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentles. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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