1
as in soothing
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
use a gentle detergent on that delicate silk blouse her gentle ways
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temperate
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
whisk the egg yolks in a double boiler set over a gentle heat
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3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
loved reading about the days when gentle lords and ladies danced at fancy balls
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4
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
the mother spoke in a gentle voice to her child
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as in noble
a man or woman of high birth or social position
the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness
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1
as in to appease
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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2
as in to caress
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner
soothingly gentled his cat's head as she was being treated by the vet
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3
as in to soften
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
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Recent Examples of gentle
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
To me, his best is not gentle, and not for children.
—Lisa Brown, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2024
Glock’s music is historically not a statement of record for the sheepish and the gentle.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2023
Christian Holub, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
Not only can gentle strains of honey bees -- if the bees are properly located and carefully managed -- be maintained within populated areas without causing a nuisance, but a resident having an apiary will not increase the number of bees in a neighboring yard.
—John Benson, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
Hanks plays a death row prison guard who doesn't know what to make of a gentle but enigmatic giant (Duncan), convicted of murdering two girls, who exhibits strange abilities.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025
To me, his best is not gentle, and not for children.
—Lisa Brown, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Noun
This gentle for your skin option features collagen, and other ingredients known to help lock in moisture in your skin for reduced risk of eczema breakouts.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 Jan. 2024
Glock’s music is historically not a statement of record for the sheepish and the gentle.
—Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2023
Verb
He would've been gentled by the Seanchan and killed by Ishamael (Fares Fares).
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 6 Oct. 2023
Not only can gentle strains of honey bees -- if the bees are properly located and carefully managed -- be maintained within populated areas without causing a nuisance, but a resident having an apiary will not increase the number of bees in a neighboring yard.
—John Benson, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
-
The best facial massager for you will be the one that not only targets your primary skin-care concerns but also offers a soothing moment of self-care, keeping you coming back for more.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2025
-
The scents are typically designed to smell soothing and sophisticated.—
Jenny Berg,
Allure,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Based on fossil evidence, it is believed that the Antarctica of 66 million years ago sported a temperate climate with lush vegetation—an ideal setting for the development of the ancestors of ducks and geese.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Fossil evidence suggests that Antarctica had a temperate climate with lots of vegetation 69 million years ago.—
Margherita Bassi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Such features, which began appearing in high-status homes around the 10th century, were rare and signified a royal or aristocratic residence.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Feb. 2025
-
Central France has been occupied off and on for thousands of years, by aristocratic families to nomadic tribes.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In some regards, the third season feels like a soft reset.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
-
There have been some offensive flashes this season as his softer skill begins to improve.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But these days the comparison to an English noble feels weirdly apt.—
Belinda Luscombe,
TIME,
11 Dec. 2024
-
On the day the archaeologists found the Nefertiti bust, German nobles from Saxony were visiting Tell el-Amarna, and Borchardt dashed between his honorable guests and the excavation.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Evidence showed that ComEd scrambled to give a job to Kathy Laski, purportedly to appease Madigan and McClain.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2025
-
Between the lines: Stripe tender offers are becoming an annual tradition as the company seeks to appease employees while continuing to delay an IPO.—
Ryan Lawler,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
On Valentines Day, Rihanna sat with Mayers during another break, gently caressing his cheek while the couple sat on a courtroom bench, surrounded by beefy security guards.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Sultry music is played to set the tone while staff gently introduces attendees to pleasurable sensations—tracing soft touches along their thighs, caressing their décolleté with silky fur, or running fingers through their hair, as well as decorating them with flowers and crystals.—
Aubree Nichols,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
That helps to soften some of the graphic imagery, but the director says his primary intent was to allow viewers to experience the perspectives of kids.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Following weeks of negotiations, during which DeSantis seemed to soften his attacks on the lawmakers who opposed his plans, the governor signed the sweeping package of immigration laws on February 13.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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