gentle 1 of 3

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gentle

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noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gentle

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verb

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gentle
Adjective
But instead of chastisement, caregivers should get their child to stop scratching with gentle encouragement, kindness, and empathy. Andy Collinson, Health, 19 Mar. 2025 The blush is also infused with ingredients that nurture mature skin, including hyaluronic acid and rose flower water for hydration and hibiscus flower water for gentle exfoliation. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 18 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
  • It’s powered by an ingredient called Centella asiatica, which is known for its soothing properties.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The mattress was extremely comfortable—firm, body-conforming, and had a sense of evenness and stability that was very soothing and calming.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 11 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
  • Maybe the aristocratic lifestyle has allowed Roquefort to luxuriate in gender apathy.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Inspired by her search for soft and generously sized bath towels, Camille designed Body by Love to enhance our bathroom rituals.
    Essence, Essence, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Celebrated annually during the National Cherry Blossom Festival—which honors the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo's Mayor Yukio Ozaki to DC in 1912—these stunning blossoms cloak the city’s iconic landmarks in soft pastel pink and white hues.
    Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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