as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a demanding and ungentle land that was not for the fainthearted
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Recent Examples of ungentle
But going back to trying to be gentle in ungentle times.
—
Stephanie Stradley, Houston Chronicle, 25 Sep. 2020
Notes From an Apocalypse is a gentle argument for coming to terms with the precarity of life, published in a moment where people are facing its fragility in an immediate and ungentle context.
—Kate Knibbs, Wired, 16 Apr. 2020
Stephanie Stradley, Houston Chronicle, 25 Sep. 2020
Notes From an Apocalypse is a gentle argument for coming to terms with the precarity of life, published in a moment where people are facing its fragility in an immediate and ungentle context.
—Kate Knibbs, Wired, 16 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungentle
Adjective
-
As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
-
While not gruff or unfriendly, the serious New York restaurateur carries a distinct tone of getting down to business, even when casually chatting about how the show has changed over time.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Visitors receive a stern warning about drinking tap water when visiting a place like Kuching.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Both have exceptional voices, stern POVs that turbo-charge defiant breakup ballads and the same manager, Nick Shymansky.—
Ramon Ramirez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
So, while humans may be less precise, automation could in the grimmest case make deadly errors at scale.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As Israeli strikes continue in Lebanon, humanitarian workers are reporting grim and heartbreaking details about the toll on the civilian population.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The steep fee, enacted in 2015 due to surging demand among American expatriates seeking to avoid new tax reporting requirements, faced fierce opposition.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
No single line embodies both the overflowing kindness and fierce competence of small-town Brainerd's chief of police, Marge Gunderson.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In the near future, keeping tabs on your digestive health may feel far less intimidating.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The willful Sun teams up with joyous Jupiter to energize your domestic zone and your intimidating 8th house.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
See the bluebonnets against the backdrop of waterfalls and rugged terrain.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The neighborhood/area This is rugged Malibu—high desert‑like terrain with sweeping mountain views and no beachfront frontage.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Preparing well as a team is the Tommies’ primary order of business until the puck is dropped in what is sure to be a hostile environment for the visitors.—
Dean Spiros,
Twin Cities,
18 Mar. 2026
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Later that year, local outlet Washington City Paper also reported on allegations of a hostile work environment under Pettigrew.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, Central and South Texas — including the Austin area — remain under severe to extreme drought conditions, with rainfall deficits of a foot or more.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Her care team identified a severe infection that had spread throughout her body.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ungentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungentle. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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