gentles 1 of 2

noun

plural of gentle
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gentles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gentle
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentles
  1. nobles
  2. appeases
  3. caresses
  4. softens
  5. aristocrats
  6. soothes
  7. pats
  8. comforts
Noun
  • The film is set in Lucknow as the age of the nawabs (Muslim nobles) fades.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The stone, which weighs an impressive 24 carats, comes from a family of European nobles.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of nobles
Verb
  • This way of handling stress occurs when someone acts calm, appeases the threatening person and retreats to de-escalate the situation.
    — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The city’s first street food market appeases the vast spectrum of palates and preferences, from vegans' to meat-lovers', by featuring ten culinary traders who specialize in ethnic fare from Greece to the bayous of Louisiana.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of appeases
Verb
  • As if that same sea that caresses the feet of the palms were doing it now in Tokyo, in your house.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Princess Diaries star smiles, caresses her belly, then ducks out of the frame.
    — Redazione People, Vanity Fair, 19 June 2026
Definition of caresses
Verb
  • The cream creates a subtle glow and softens the skin, helping to smooth out those fine lines on the neck.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The look softens, but traces can outlast the semi-permanent window artists advertise.
    — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of softens
Noun
  • Founded in 1440, the prestigious institution is one of the most famous and selective schools in the United Kingdom, attended over the centuries by prime ministers, aristocrats, and future monarchs.
    — Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
  • By the Renaissance, black mourning garments, veils, and headdresses distinguished grieving European aristocrats.
    — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of aristocrats
Verb
  • The combination of liquid exfoliants gently boosts cell turnover and remove clogged pores, while tea tree leaf water hydrate and soothes.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Du says more work is needed to fully understand how music soothes a stressed brain.
    — Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of soothes
Verb
  • This refusal to look directly at the shadows is all the more aggravating given how often The Mosquito Bowl pats itself on the back for being clear-eyed.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As another period begins, Achord pats Melton on the head and Melton pats his coach on the back.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of pats
Verb
  • Seattle comforts you with its natural beauty, quieting your mind and heightening your senses.
    — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In one scene, Maddie gently comforts an elderly man whose brother was killed at the Pentagon when hijackers struck the building.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of comforts
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.

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gentleperson
gentles
gentlewoman
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Cite this Entry

“Gentles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentles. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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