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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
loved reading about the days when gentle lords and ladies danced at fancy balls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in soft
not loud in pitch or volume
the mother spoke in a gentle voice to her child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples 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
Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 6 Dec. 2024
Another motif that came out of his gentle curiosity was the shot never taken.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
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
John Benson, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022
While a traditional blow dryer pushes air out and causes frizz, a diffuser will just gentle dry hair without any friction.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 28 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for gentle 
Adjective
If running on the treadmill isn’t your idea of how to get over someone, at least consider gentle movement activities like yoga or meditation apps.
—Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 6 Dec. 2024
Another motif that came out of his gentle curiosity was the shot never taken.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
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
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
While a traditional blow dryer pushes air out and causes frizz, a diffuser will just gentle dry hair without any friction.
—Tatjana Freund, ELLE, 28 July 2022
See all Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
-
And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable.Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
-
Sunset Sherbet provides a soothing and calming effect, while the White Widow Hybrid THC-A Live Resin Liquid Budder Vape Pen offers a balanced mix of indica and sativa effects.Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Located midway between the Dolomites and the Adriatic, mountain breezes and temperate sea air combine to create a refreshingly cool and rainy climate.Paul Caputo, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
-
Understanding Plant Needs Most houseplants are tropical varieties that need a warm or temperate environment to thrive.Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
But red is also the color of the tunic of cardinals, as well as the velvet cloaks worn throughout history by the great aristocratic families.Laura Tortora, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2024
-
Early in the design process, the owners told the team about their love of Florence’s Palazzo Tornabuoni, a grand 15th-century aristocratic home that has been reimagined as a 21st-century private-residence club.Andrew Sessa, Robb Report, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The ones that come to mind for us are easily Beyond Yoga’s super soft, smooth Spacedye tights.Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Dec. 2024
-
It’s packed with nourishing ingredients and leaves lips soft and hydrated overnight.Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The game is set in a historical version of our own world where wizard chantries angle for power and influence with nobles and members of the Church.Rob Wieland, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
-
With the crisp transatlantic accent of a minor noble and the piercing blue eyes of a long-haired dachshund, Dan Stevens could have coasted through his acting career as so many London boys have before, playing foppish love interests or sneaky villains unmasked in the third act.Hannah Strong, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2024
Verb
-
On Wednesday, Albertsons blamed Kroger for not trying harder to appease wary regulators and therefore breaching its merger agreement to act in good faith.Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Questions about a plan to sell off some stores The judge separately weighed the plan by Kroger and Albertsons to sell hundreds of their stores to a firm called C&S Wholesale Grocers as a condition of their merger, meant to appease regulators.Alina Selyukh, NPR, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Sophia Bush’s Cass is back in the picture after that surprise kiss with Teddy, making Owen jealous by casually caressing Teddy’s arm in the elevator.Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
-
Its 570 pages, written by hand, have been carefully sorted and caressed to life in a way that few modern books are.Joe Sills, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Cát Bà Island, Vietnam My memories of Cát Bà Island are faded Polaroids, worn and softened at the edges.Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Outlander producer breaks down season 7 return, Roger's shocking discovery Jamie softens and, finally, gets it.Lincee Ray, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near gentle
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share