GENTLING Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

gentling

verb

present participle of gentle

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentling

Verb

But for most Republican members of Congress, appeasing Trump remains key to primary and electoral success.

— SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
There’s been potential discrepancies and a few ballots the machines have declined, but the board has unanimously voted to just make duplicates of those ballots with the same result, appeasing the tabulators.

— Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 July 2026

Definition of appeasing

Verb

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
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

Definition of caressing

Verb

Those are millions of hours physicians can spend explaining a cancer diagnosis, comforting anxious families, and helping patients make life-changing decisions.

— Robert Reiss, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Following the loss, the royal account shared a post congratulating the team on their impressive run, with a photo of team captain Harry Kane comforting star midfielder Jude Bellingham.

— Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 16 July 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

The first thing that hits you at Azuma Farm Koiwai is the fresh, calming smell of hinoki wood, which is layered on the lofty ceilings around the resort, and decorates the handful of quaint cabins that are dotted across its grounds.

— Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Visitors can take in the calming sight from land, or hop on a bamboo raft and see it from the river below.

— Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 16 July 2026

Definition of calming

Verb

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
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

Definition of patting

Verb

Blanket sucking is a self-soothing behavior thought to mimic nursing.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
The small fragments of colorful glass, strung along together, produce soothing sounds, their tinkling notes wafting through the air alongside a chorus of windchimes and the sweet scent of plumeria blooming in the garden.

— Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 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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gentlewomen

gentling

gently

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“Gentling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentling. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of gentling

verb

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