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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Sharing the stage with Wilke is gentle and endearing actor Andrew Oswald, who plays the legionnaire running the debate, as well as Mike, a gay White man who has seen his rights trampled for most of his adult life, but retains a positive, life-loving spirit.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 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
Whales are, generally speaking, gentle and curious.
—Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Sharing the stage with Wilke is gentle and endearing actor Andrew Oswald, who plays the legionnaire running the debate, as well as Mike, a gay White man who has seen his rights trampled for most of his adult life, but retains a positive, life-loving spirit.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 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
-
Bath bombs, weighted blankets and essential oil diffusers create a soothing environment that’s easier to be stress-free in.—
Christopher Murray,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Featuring an antioxidant-rich ingredients list, this clever formula delivers a silky-smooth finish and a lasting soothing effect.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike the Antarctic of today, Late-Cretaceous Antarctica was warmer and wetter, with temperate weather and lush vegetation.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
-
The weather in Palermo is generally temperate in winter, with average highs around 50℉, but summers can be brutal, making a case for air-conditioning.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Emigrating is the first thing she’s ever accomplished on her own, without Spencer or her aristocratic privilege to help her (at least, not that much).—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
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Maybe the aristocratic lifestyle has allowed Roquefort to luxuriate in gender apathy.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
If you’re torn between medium-firm and soft, the warranty is 10 years, and the return period is 90 days, or 365 if the mattress is unused and unopened.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2025
-
However, its soft full-year fiscal 2026 guidance caused the stock to pull back.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Up to 4,000 years ago in the Yellow River Valley, craftspeople were smelting tin, copper and lead into bronze goblets, and Shang dynasty nobles drank rice wine from these ornate cups.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Feb. 2025
-
In one, the Boston commoners Barney and Ann Smith might as well be English nobles for all the red drapery surrounding them.—
Jackson Arn,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Return hubs are not a solution to our problems related to migration, but rather populism to appease the extreme right.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital’s questions over whether expanding ties with Greenland would appease Trump’s ambitions, though on Sunday Trump reiterated his position on the island nation.—
Caitlin McFall,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Unfortunately for us, Percy has not arrived just to caress Lord John, who honestly needs it, but rather to pass on some intel: Percy warns John of a plot to kidnap William in order to force John and his brother Hal to cooperate with the Continental Army.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Dec. 2024
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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
Verb
-
Reduce heat to medium, and cook, uncovered, until vegetables soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The data, released by the Census Bureau, will offer a look at how Americans spent their money during a month in which consumer confidence was softening amid tariff uncertainty.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere,
CNBC,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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