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
Years of appeasing Vladimir Putin easily qualify for that mantle.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 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

The Sagittarius Moon trines Chiron in your partnership zone, softening the instinct to package every feeling so perfectly that nobody could possibly object.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
China's oil import diet in turn helped ease global demand, softening the upward price effects for the United States, Europe and beyond.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of softening

Verb

Once inside the warehouse, shoppers tend to linger, enticed by a potent cocktail of comforting routine, retail adrenaline and cheap eats.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
Sacramento’s popular Arden Fair mall is getting a new dining spot that serves up comforting dim sum.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 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

His goal late against the Leafs was due and showed his hands and dexterity for a big man taking a puck off the wall and patting it in at the post.

— Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Another picture in the post shows Justin patting Phin on the head as the pair walk together on a golf course, sporting matching golf bags.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of patting

Verb

As a result, the spirits are crafted with a key ingredient of manuka honey that helps protect the throat paired alongside more soothing botanicals such as bee pollen and chamomile.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
The interiors are soothing greys and blues, with touches of silver, and art depicts icebergs and seascapes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of gentling

verb

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