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
Relevance
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
Verb
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Over the past months, Iranian officials have tried to carefully balance negotiations with Trump while appeasing factions across the country’s diverse political landscape, including the Paydari group.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026 -
Court life required appeasing those in power, often rulers with little understanding of music.—
Chip Bell,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
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The couple posed for photos at the event, drawing attention to their gestating bundle of joy by framing and caressing Palvin’s belly.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To descend the stairs into Marcel, the new French-continental restaurant on the lower level of the Breuer building, on Madison Avenue, is to watch a brutalist masterpiece surrender, with a kind of gracious compliance, to the softening influence of a great deal of money.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
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Combined with higher interest rates on pause (and the potential for them to be hiked higher later this year), softening wages and household debt at a record high, this week's news underscores the importance of storing your money in safe and profitable places.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Brittney Brimway and her three children were on a flight from Los Angeles to Turks and Caicos with a layover in New York City when her son woke her up with some less-than-comforting news.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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The beauty lies in moderation — taking a moment to appreciate their comforting properties.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
Verb
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There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Sensory gardens with calming nature sounds, plants kids are welcome to touch and benches are available to help guests reset in a less stimulating environment.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
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CosRx’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster isn’t just about packing in as many peptides as possible—each peptide has a different job, from supporting elasticity and smoothing fine lines to calming skin and boosting radiance.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
18 June 2026
Verb
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The one-sided conversation ended with Hocevar patting Wallace on the shoulder — defusing the tension while offering little remorse.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
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If raw red onion is too strong for you, let the slices soak in ice water for 15 to 30 minutes before draining, patting dry, and adding to the salad.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 June 2026
Verb
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That’s why a familiar smell from childhood can be soothing during stress, why certain perfumes are inseparable from the people who wore them, and why some scents can also bring back hard memories with the same intensity as good ones.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
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Plus, SpaceX's massive initial public offering went well, soothing concerns about a deluge of new stock supply pulling down the whole market.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
15 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Gentling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentling. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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