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

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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

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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
  • As Aesha always says, appeasing rich people is a huge part of the job.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The bill now also includes a compromise on stablecoin yield aimed at appeasing banking interests by directing the Treasury secretary to restrict rewards if deposit flight from community banks occurs on a substantial scale.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 Sep. 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
  • Despite geopolitical uncertainty and inflation softening consumer sentiment, US shoppers are still buying beauty, especially online.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The two grew closer, with Wong softening behind bars, caring more about others’ personal lives and sending Lee cards on special occasions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of softening
Verb
  • The marvelous mezes are largely gluten-free and served—upon request—with crudités; savory, comforting mujaddara is made with lentils and rice, no bulgur, barley, or other glutenous grains.
    — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In a casual, endearingly familial setting, Roshona Bilash gives us a compelling, often comforting taste of one Bengali lineage.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of comforting
Verb
  • Guests have reported footsteps in the attic, the feeling of someone stroking their face, a shower rode repeatedly flying off the wall and loud noises from outside the front door when no one is there.
    — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
  • There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.
    — Fran Moreland Johns, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
Definition of stroking
Verb
  • Electrodes closer to the forehead stimulate a brain region called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, associated with mood regulation (for example, calming anxiety).
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Blaring Alice Coltrane and Éthiopiques is clearly an excellent, calming way to start her day too.
    — Tarajia Morrell, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of calming
Verb
  • Sprinkle salt mixture all over outside of the turkey as well as inside the cavity of the turkey, patting to adhere and nudging some into every crevice.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Parents said the conversations mostly served as a hand-patting session rather than practical help.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of patting
Verb
  • Or perhaps your scalp has been close to one too many hot tools and could use some soothing ASAP?
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Plan to spend a day soaking in the property's hot springs, which has been soothing visitors since 1886.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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