Synonyms of gentling

gentling

verb

present participle of gentle

1

as in appeasing

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

• appeasing
• comforting
• calming
• soothing
• placating
• consoling
• mollifying
• pleasing
• pacifying
• propitiating
• conciliating
• disarming
• assuaging
• quieting
• tranquillizing
• satisfying
• coaxing
• delighting
• tranquilizing
• hushing
• ingratiating
• contenting
• gratifying
• cajoling
• quenching
• gladdening
• wheedling
• humoring
• indulging
• babying
• endearing (to)
• flattering
• pampering
• coddling
• spoiling
• satiating
• sweetening
• mollycoddling
• catering (to)
• sating
• overpraising
• adulating
• sweet-talking
• blandishing
• soft-soaping
• blarneying
• dulcifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crossing
• ruffling
• getting
• inflaming
• angering
• maddening
• antagonizing
• incensing
• aggravating
• burning (up)
• outraging
• infuriating
• roiling
• iring
• enraging
• bothering
• chafing
• provoking
• riling
• exasperating
• grating
• putting out
• irritating
• nettling
• bugging
• rousing
• enflaming
• rankling
• vexing
• annoying
• galling
• piquing
• irking
• harassing
• harrying
• persecuting
• pestering
• distressing
• agitating
• upsetting
• worrying
• disturbing
• unsettling
• fretting
• perturbing
• unhinging
• insulting
• peeving
• discomforting
• slighting
• offending
• affronting

2

as in caressing

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

• caressing
• stroking
• patting
• petting
• loving
• hugging
• fondling
• cradling
• nuzzling
• cuddling
• pawing
• snuggling
• spooning
• necking
• enfolding
• massaging
• nestling
• nosing
• kneading
• embracing
• dandling
• coddling
• billing
• pampering
• bouncing
• canoodling
• indulging
• babying
• spoiling
• mollycoddling
• feeling up

3

as in softening

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

• softening
• cushioning
• buffering
• alleviating
• tempering
• mitigating
• modulating
• moderating
• dulling
• deadening
• dampening
• allaying
• easing
• relieving
• lightening
• baffling
• obtunding
• assuaging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• intensifying
• sharpening
• heightening