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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentling

Verb

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
In 1938, British, French, German and Italian leaders concluded the Munich Agreement, which was aimed at appeasing Adolf Hitler by allowing Nazi annexation of Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland.

— ABC News, ABC News, 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

In the late 1970s, Giorgio Armani stripped the structure out of the traditional suit, softening its shoulders and loosening its trousers.

— John Vorwald, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Even with used vehicle prices softening slightly, high borrowing costs keep monthly payments out of reach for many prospective buyers.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of softening

Verb

Warm yet uplifting with a strong hit of black tea, Still Bloom's cardomom, sesame, and orange top notes hit like a shot of caffeine before dissipating into a mellow, comforting underbelly of musk, rose and cedarwood, to name a few.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
That means the baby’s crib or bassinet can be next to the parents’ bed, which makes feeding and comforting easier, but the baby should sleep on a separate surface.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 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

The neurologist outlined the following five strategies for recognizing these patterns, calming the nervous system and developing healthier responses to stress.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Kjærvik said calming exercises, social support, group discussion, or other aspects of a retreat are more likely to explain why participants might feel calmer afterward than venting.

— Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of calming

Verb

In 2022, the paparazzi leaked photos of the two holding hands, nestled into each other at a New York bar, and Holmes patting Robach on the rear.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
In this case, there’s no swiping or rubbing at all—just let the pads sit and soak in for a few minutes before gently patting in the excess.

— Jenny Jin, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of patting

Verb

On top of that, the plugs offer passive isolation (the seal of the bud) and adaptive sound masking (soothing audio tracks that help cover up your beloved’s snoring).

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The restaurant on the ground floor features red brick arches, midcentury sconces and a soothing interior with plush beige armchairs and warm wood accents.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 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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gentlewomen

gentling

gently

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“Gentling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentling. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gentling

verb

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