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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentling
  1. appeasing
  2. caressing
  3. softening
  4. comforting
  5. stroking
  6. calming
  7. patting
  8. soothing
Verb
  • While this might sound appeasing to some, the Big Ten is not onboard with this idea, sources told OutKick-FOX News and others.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Interest—from both visitors and islanders—is gently shifting away from polishing playboy yachts or appeasing the decadent whims of retirees, to something, well, more real.
    — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of appeasing
Verb
  • In one video, pop singer Madison Beer was seen caressing Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert's face as if the two were shooting a scene straight out of a reality show.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In the snap, Portman, who’s expecting her third baby, her first with partner Tanguy Destable, could be seen standing in front of an apartment balcony in an oversized blue button-down, caressing her stomach.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of caressing
Verb
  • These grew louder each time a Ferrari left its garage and entered the pit lane before softening again, a call and response that echoed around the circuit.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, softening is still seen over the rest of the year.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of softening
Verb
  • Once inside the warehouse, shoppers tend to linger, enticed by a potent cocktail of comforting routine, retail adrenaline and cheap eats.
    — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sacramento’s popular Arden Fair mall is getting a new dining spot that serves up comforting dim sum.
    — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
    — Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
  • Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of stroking
Verb
  • Traffic-calming measures include speed lumps, new bicycle lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, curb extensions and curb islands, according to the city’s website.
    — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The legendary William Daniels served as the wise, calming voice of Michael’s indestructible, multipurpose Firebird, KITT.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of calming
Verb
  • His goal late against the Leafs was due and showed his hands and dexterity for a big man taking a puck off the wall and patting it in at the post.
    — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Another picture in the post shows Justin patting Phin on the head as the pair walk together on a golf course, sporting matching golf bags.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of patting
Verb
  • Spacious and flooded with natural light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, the rooms lean into a soothing palette of cool grays, warm wood accents, and pops of yellow.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The show is so cozy and soothing that the actors frequently fell asleep during takes and can be spotted snoozing in the background.
    — Josh Gondelman, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of soothing
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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Cite this Entry

“Gentling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentling. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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