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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2026
Sometimes a power comes through a gentle and simple gesture.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 June 2026
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
Dry plane air often leaves skin feeling dull and dehydrated, but applying a few gentle, moisturizing products can make a big difference.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2025
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Such symptoms can be helped by gentling cleaning the outside of your eye with warm water to remove crust and avoiding aggravating your symptoms by scratching or rubbing your eyes.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
Five digital heat settings make temperature adjustment simple, and the ceramic plates are gentle enough to use on any hair type without singeing.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 18 June 2026
Sometimes a power comes through a gentle and simple gesture.
—Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 18 June 2026
Noun
Its gentle without forsaking cleanliness, and leaves skin feeling softer after each use.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2026
Dry plane air often leaves skin feeling dull and dehydrated, but applying a few gentle, moisturizing products can make a big difference.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Yet he was gentled by his intense spiritualism, as shown by his teaching Sunday School.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
Such symptoms can be helped by gentling cleaning the outside of your eye with warm water to remove crust and avoiding aggravating your symptoms by scratching or rubbing your eyes.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
-
The set comes in over 10 colors, including a summer-ready coral and soothing sage green.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
-
There’s a cosmic irony in referencing Yoshimura, whose soothing compositions were famously commissioned to accompany showrooms for model homes in Japan in the 1980s and have since become synonymous with domestic comfort.—
Harry Thorfinn-George,
Pitchfork,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
These grasses thrive in cooler climates, though some can be found in the Southern states (especially in the temperate Upper South), including the following species.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
-
Those in temperate regions can keep it in a pot that's brought indoors for winter.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than maintaining aristocratic distance, Nero linked his public image to the virtues and popularity of spectacle.—
Scott Atran,
The Conversation,
17 June 2026
-
The wedding was reportedly held for a member of the aristocratic Schwarzenberg family.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
But so do bursts of color, softer fabrics and strange patterns.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
Puff sleeves, a scalloped hem, lace trim, and eyelet detailing give this top a soft, feminine edge.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
One of these high-ranking British nobles was the Earl of Euston.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Past the violin was an oil painting of the child Mozart entertaining nobles at the Maison du Temple.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Feeling slightly out of place amid this crowd is Annie, here on a lark to appease her sister.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Part of it is Republican candidates trying to appease independent voters.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Kate could be seen reaching over to caress the back of Louis’s short blonde hair, showing off her iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
-
And short hair always feels so good once the temperatures climb and the humidity sets in; keeping your neck free allows the cool breeze of a blasting air conditioner to caress your skin.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Hot tubs are a great way to relax and let the muscles soften after a long day.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
Your 4th House of Home softens as sensual Venus settles there and trines spiritual Neptune in your 12th House of Solitude, encouraging rest and boundary repair.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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