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
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
To aid absorption of the magnesium oil, prepare the skin with gentle dry bushing to promote circulation, then rub the magnesium oil into the legs using firm, upwards strokes, moving from the feet and ankles with deep, rhythmic movements upward to the thighs.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 29 May 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
Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Adjective
There’s a gentle mode for sensitive scalps, multiple attachments for different hair types, and airflow tech that dries fast without blowing your strands into chaos.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 May 2025
To aid absorption of the magnesium oil, prepare the skin with gentle dry bushing to promote circulation, then rub the magnesium oil into the legs using firm, upwards strokes, moving from the feet and ankles with deep, rhythmic movements upward to the thighs.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 29 May 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
The material doesn’t want sophisticated adults mucking about in it or, worse, gentling its hard edges for commercial consumption.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See All Example Sentences for gentle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentle
Adjective
-
As soothing as that may sound, fun is really the theme.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
-
To help replenish healthy-looking skin while preventing irritation from the potent star ingredient, there’s a soothing and moisturizing blend of hyaluronic acid and shea butter.—
Deanna Pai,
Glamour,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Historical memory Even before the conflict was over, aristocratic Anglican writers such as Sir Richard Musgrave spun the rebellion as an uprising of disgruntled Catholics.—
Joseph Patrick Kelly,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
-
Just six years ago, the Times Square Alliance temporarily installed a similarly monumental statue by the artist Kehinde Wiley, who rose to stardom for his aristocratic portraits of contemporary Black people.—
Andrew Keh,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Some reactions might be softer and less pronounced, while others could be obsessive and overwhelming.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
Since then, only a few structural modifications and modern changes have been made—wood-burning stoves were replaced by propane heaters, and horses and mules were swapped for llamas (their feet are softer and less damaging to the ground).—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Despite its remote location, the 18th-century Georgian home was a stopover for a procession of nobles, actors, and writers, like Peter O’Toole, John Steinbeck, Marlon Brando, and Montgomery Clift.—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
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The Board of Rites is tasked with making sure the ceremonies performed by the imperial nobles go off without a hitch, and its members have been dying throughout the series.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In his dealings with Mr. Trump, Mr. Putin has tried to appease the U.S. president by appearing to negotiate peace, but without offering any meaningful concessions to Kyiv.—
Anatoly Kurmanaev,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
If there are no significant changes to the front office and coaching staff after the 2025 season, then Black will be the fall guy for a team that had to do something to appease the fans.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
15 May 2025
Verb
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The oversized and plush applicator caresses every curve of your smile for a smooth, high-shine finish, minus the stickiness.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
18 May 2025
-
The monologue touches Ellie, who caresses her girlfriend’s face.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
11 May 2025
Verb
-
Its rich, tinted formula softens without compromising pigment making Eadem’s Lip Softening Balm a no-fuss makeup staple that will leave you looking primped on the go and after a long day.—
Valerie Butler,
Essence,
28 May 2025
-
That said, the broader US housing market remains under pressure from persistent affordability challenges, elevated mortgage rates, and softening consumer sentiment.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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