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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
This gentle yet effective retinol treatment works wonders for smoothing skin texture and evening out tone, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your hands.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 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
That era of Yolanda Quartey is now here with My Way (out today), a five-track mix of dance music and Eighties pop-R&B that marks a gentle but determined departure from her prior two albums: More Janet Jackson than Dolly Parton.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
This gentle yet effective retinol treatment works wonders for smoothing skin texture and evening out tone, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your hands.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 17 Jan. 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
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Naturally, these delicate birds give her life a soothing meaning.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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With its sweet berry and citrus flavor profile, Sunset Sherbet is perfect for those craving a soothing, candy-like vibe.—
Rowan Briggs,
The Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This colder-than-average spell is notable given Washington's relatively temperate winters in recent years.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
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These are characterized by temperate deciduous forest species such as tulip trees, oaks, and hickories.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside Online,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Their attire and posture radiated an iconic, aristocratic style, exemplified by Vance's wife, who stood elegantly in her rose-pitch dress coat.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
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Despite the name, Palace hotels aren’t always centuries-old aristocratic mansions, and many feel thoroughly modern.—
Mary Winston Nicklin,
AFAR Media,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Downy refers to the soft, white feathers located on a white stripe down its back.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
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With a focus on soft, natural tones, sustainable materials and biophilic elements like plants and greenery, this trend transforms hospitality spaces into peaceful sanctuaries.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Just as Peter’s moving of his court transformed Moscow into a backwater for out-of-favor nobles, Carson’s helped to usher out the era when the Big Apple could claim to have cultural parity with Hollywood.—
Isaac Butler,
The New Yorker,
6 Nov. 2024
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The Netflix series from showrunner Kathleen Jordan is inspired by the medieval Italian text by Boccaccio about a group of young nobles isolating from the Black Death who tell stories to pass the time: love stories, raunchy comedies, tragedies, morality tales.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
26 July 2024
Verb
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The draft legislation agreed to by most local leaders included a pledge to prioritize the project to appease north Mecklenburg communities burned by past delays.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2025
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Political chatter has picked up on Meta’s platforms following a series of moves taken by CEO Mark Zuckerberg that appeared to be aimed at appeasing President Trump.—
Salvador Rodriguez,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Dan Sheldon Golf: A hole-in-one There’s no greater satisfaction in sport than carefully caressing a little white ball into a slightly larger hole in the ground with a metal stick.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
The Athletic,
2 Jan. 2025
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The soil caressed my bare feet, and the dust was always boiling up from the dirt road that passed 50 feet from our front door.—
Philip Martin,
arkansasonline.com,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Can a crispy chicken sandwich or a whisky cocktail soften the blow of existential despair?—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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The surge in immigrants arriving in Colorado last year softened the enrollment decline in the state’s public schools, which for years have been losing students — and funding — as birth rates fall across the nation.—
Jessica Seaman,
The Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gentle
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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