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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentling
Verb
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Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a concession that indicated both the urgency of the domestic crisis and the vulnerability of the regime.—
Sarah Fitzpatrick,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2026 -
But then appeasing tradition and upending it both at once, which certainly is the pragmatic philosophy of Lyric, always is a tricky matter.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity, according to the news release.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Plus, these formulas aren’t limited to softening and smoothing only certain hair textures.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
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Some galleries have had pigment—blue, red, black—mixed into the concrete, softening the material’s sterility.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is nothing comforting about life in Ukraine today.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
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That kind of community spirit is comforting for people like Andrew Hawkins.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Two-year-old Lily Capasso stopped by, stroking a small paint brush on the starting line – a sign that the world’s most iconic marathon is for everyone, no matter their age.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This can help lower stress levels and beautify your home, creating a calming environment.—
Lesly Gregory,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
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Trade shocking shades like neon green and chartreuse for timeless shades of green that inspire a rejuvenating feel in the morning and a calming atmosphere in the evening.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Hall of Fame forward and all-time franchise leader in nearly every major statistical category walked into the arena with Timberwolves co-owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez after player introductions, receiving a roar from the crowd and patting his heart with his hand.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Will foundations stop patting themselves on the back for diversity pledges and start funding the Black innovation ecosystem at scale?—
Felecia Hatcher,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rest of the formula is soothing and balancing—aloe, Centella asiatica, and calamine calm skin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
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For recovery, check out this wrist roller, which can also be used as a one-pound weight, or this muscle-soothing massage gun.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Gentling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentling. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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