as in lady
a woman of high birth or social position
in the 19th century a number of American gentlewomen used their wealth and influence to further abolitionism, women's rights, and other worthy causes
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Recent Examples of gentlewoman
The novelists’ parents were Patrick and Maria Brontë, an Irish clergyman and a Cornish gentlewoman who married in 1812.
—
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
But Mary declined, preferring an informal gentlewoman’s agreement instead.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Rep Miller recognized Rep McBride as 'gentleman' and 'Mr.' NOT as 'gentlewoman' and 'Ms.' McBride is a MAN!!!
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
But Mary declined, preferring an informal gentlewoman’s agreement instead.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Maybe Kate can get Parton to hop back across the pond to play a few songs and, as a real Southern gentlewoman, teach those rather provincial Brits how to properly serve tea.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
In the north, Solomon knew, young oblates, the cherished daughters of gentlewomen, were given to the Lord out of the ranks of the nobility.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
One of his stories is about a Southern gentlewoman who keeps her dead fiance’s corpse in her bed.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023
The two actors dated in the eighties and eventually married other people, but, ever the gentlewoman, Mirren has nothing but praise for the Irish actor.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2022
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
But Mary declined, preferring an informal gentlewoman’s agreement instead.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Rep Miller recognized Rep McBride as 'gentleman' and 'Mr.' NOT as 'gentlewoman' and 'Ms.' McBride is a MAN!!!
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
But Mary declined, preferring an informal gentlewoman’s agreement instead.
—Sarah Holzmann, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2025
Maybe Kate can get Parton to hop back across the pond to play a few songs and, as a real Southern gentlewoman, teach those rather provincial Brits how to properly serve tea.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 Aug. 2023
In the north, Solomon knew, young oblates, the cherished daughters of gentlewomen, were given to the Lord out of the ranks of the nobility.
—Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023
One of his stories is about a Southern gentlewoman who keeps her dead fiance’s corpse in her bed.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023
The two actors dated in the eighties and eventually married other people, but, ever the gentlewoman, Mirren has nothing but praise for the Irish actor.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 22 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentlewoman
Noun
-
Then, after the murder is accomplished, there's just no remorse whatsoever or any regret expressed by any of them for murdering this innocent lady.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2025
-
France’s first lady opted for a double-breasted blazer with sinuous lapels, rounded shoulders and long sleeves in a buttery tone.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Prince Andrew had gone to live on the French Rivera with a countess.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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An epic love story between an American big game hunter and a British countess was upended by the strangling mores of class and tradition.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While Jon is bound to leadership by a sense of duty, Daenerys sees herself as a liberator, a queen steeped in moral righteousness who freed slaves across the sea for the greater good.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2017
-
THE TRENDSETTER Salt & Straw is the homecoming queen of ice cream in LA.—
Cole Kazdin,
Los Angeles Magazine,
14 July 2017
Cite this Entry
“Gentlewoman.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentlewoman. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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