as in lady
a woman of high birth or social position
in the 19th century a number of American gentlewomen used their wealth and influence to further abolitionism, women's rights, and other worthy causes
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Recent Examples of gentlewoman
Those laughs are balanced with real world issues, and a longing for these gentlewomen locked into the suffocating zeitgeist of early 1800s British Regency.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2025
Social status and fashion conspired to make gentlewomen’s footwear of every sort flimsy.
—Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Rep Miller recognized Rep McBride as 'gentleman' and 'Mr.' NOT as 'gentlewoman' and 'Ms.' McBride is a MAN!!!
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Maybe Kate can get Parton to hop back across the pond to play a few songs and, as a real Southern gentlewoman, teach those rather provincial Brits how to properly serve tea.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
In the north, Solomon knew, young oblates, the cherished daughters of gentlewomen, were given to the Lord out of the ranks of the nobility.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2025
Social status and fashion conspired to make gentlewomen’s footwear of every sort flimsy.
—Literary Hub, 4 Aug. 2025
The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Rep Miller recognized Rep McBride as 'gentleman' and 'Mr.' NOT as 'gentlewoman' and 'Ms.' McBride is a MAN!!!
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Maybe Kate can get Parton to hop back across the pond to play a few songs and, as a real Southern gentlewoman, teach those rather provincial Brits how to properly serve tea.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
In the north, Solomon knew, young oblates, the cherished daughters of gentlewomen, were given to the Lord out of the ranks of the nobility.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentlewoman
Noun
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The bodyguard choker is a stylish accessory made of faux leather featuring the lady Bey charm and adjustable buckle fastener for a personalized fit.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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These young ladies made great accomplishments and a lasting mark in a highly competitive 2025.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There were so many senior royals still on the roster (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor among them), that Prince Edward and Sophie, countess of Wessex (now the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh) were relatively minor public figures and had yet to see their profiles bloom.—
Stephanie Bridger-Linning,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
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Julie Delpy played a version of Báthory in 2009 feature The Countess; Anna Friel in the 2008 historical drama Bathory, and Maria Kalinina in the 2006 slasher horror Stay Alive, in which the spirit of the blood countess haunts a survival video game.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Soundman Loch Townsend coolly exposed the film and handed the reel to the queen’s panicking press secretary, who took it with relief.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Choose a deluxe cabin for the full crew, which comes with either two queen beds or a queen bed and a pull-out sofa, sleeping up to four people.—
Jenny Willden,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentlewoman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentlewoman. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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