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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
To aid absorption of the magnesium oil, prepare the skin with gentle dry bushing to promote circulation, then rub the magnesium oil into the legs using firm, upwards strokes, moving from the feet and ankles with deep, rhythmic movements upward to the thighs.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 29 May 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
Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
There’s a gentle mode for sensitive scalps, multiple attachments for different hair types, and airflow tech that dries fast without blowing your strands into chaos.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
To aid absorption of the magnesium oil, prepare the skin with gentle dry bushing to promote circulation, then rub the magnesium oil into the legs using firm, upwards strokes, moving from the feet and ankles with deep, rhythmic movements upward to the thighs.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 29 May 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
The material doesn’t want sophisticated adults mucking about in it or, worse, gentling its hard edges for commercial consumption.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
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As soothing as that may sound, fun is really the theme.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
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To help replenish healthy-looking skin while preventing irritation from the potent star ingredient, there’s a soothing and moisturizing blend of hyaluronic acid and shea butter.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
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Best Time to Visit Locals know the fall and winter tend to be the best times to visit St. George Island for temperate weather, smaller crowds, and lower humidity.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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Don’t be fooled by its aristocratic interiors—rates start at around $180 per night—and be sure to make reservations at the hotel’s excellent Asturian restaurant, whose dishes spotlight local ingredients like sea urchin caviar and smoked Los Caserinos cheese.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
28 May 2025
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But instead of roaming around 18th century Europe fueled by an aristocratic family fortune, today’s Beautiful People (also called the BPs) are traveling the world and soaking up culture courtesy of big luxury brands.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Their texture is soft and literally melts in your mouth.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
2 June 2025
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The interior of my bZ Limited was comfortable, trimmed in appealing soft materials and roomy.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Despite its remote location, the 18th-century Georgian home was a stopover for a procession of nobles, actors, and writers, like Peter O’Toole, John Steinbeck, Marlon Brando, and Montgomery Clift.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
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The Board of Rites is tasked with making sure the ceremonies performed by the imperial nobles go off without a hitch, and its members have been dying throughout the series.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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It was changed at the final hour to move up the start date for work requirements from 2029 to 2026 to appease hard-liners who threatened to withhold their votes and imperil the bill’s passage.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Tiller is set to release albums in back-to-back years for the first time in his career, as fans’ appetites will be appeased.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The oversized and plush applicator caresses every curve of your smile for a smooth, high-shine finish, minus the stickiness.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
18 May 2025
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The monologue touches Ellie, who caresses her girlfriend’s face.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Its rich, tinted formula softens without compromising pigment making Eadem’s Lip Softening Balm a no-fuss makeup staple that will leave you looking primped on the go and after a long day.—
Valerie Butler,
Essence,
28 May 2025
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Within days, Wall Street firms softened their forecasts of a recession.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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