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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Across much of Europe until the 20th century, these cabin-like compartments would carry voyaging nobles over oceans and mountains in ‘bed carriages’ aboard ships and trains.—
Chloe Frost-Smith,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025 -
Casting black actors as Anglo-Saxon nobles is only the most in-your-face example of this problem.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 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
-
The hummingbirds are one of the few subjects that, briefly, softens him.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Chamomile softens the flame, vanilla sweetens the smoke, and the result is all loving, never strange… a total trance.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The sapphires went on to become a favorite among aristocrats in 19th-century Europe and remain coveted among jewelry collectors.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Warren hosted dinner parties in the residence, located at the base of Coit Tower, that attracted movie stars, best-selling authors, opera divas, aristocrats, photographers and composers.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This spirit of delusion soothes Max and Christian enough to lead them to hug out their differences.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Rescue Balm + Red Correct Post-Blemish Recovery Cream soothes vulnerable, post-breakout skin using a calming blend of panthenol, beta-glucan, and oligopeptides.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
9 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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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
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For me, that comforts and strengthens my faith.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
28 Aug. 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 19 Oct. 2025.
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