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
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
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
The gentle-yet-effacious cleanser is formulated with glycerin to hydrate your complexion, plus squalane to soothe your skin barrier.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 28 May 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
Made breathable and highly wearable — courtesy of that mesh fabric, next-generation eyestays, grippy sole, and construction that delivers gentle landings — the On Cloudsurfer Max Erewhon can be snagged in Ivory or Black.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 May 2026
The gentle-yet-effacious cleanser is formulated with glycerin to hydrate your complexion, plus squalane to soothe your skin barrier.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 28 May 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 relaxed linen texture keeps them looking elevated but still cozy, and the earthy tone ties the entire color palette together in such a soothing way.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
-
On the slightly more orange side, terra-cotta tones are viewed in design as healing, soothing, and warm.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
With temperate weather that allows for swimming, snorkeling, and forest spelunking, these getaways are also prime locations for napping to the gentle sound of waves by the beach.—
Skyli Alvarez,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
-
Climate change pushes both sides of the equation, expanding the range and season length of Aedes mosquitoes in temperate regions while intensifying transmission in the tropics that feeds the flow of infected travelers.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Gentile da Foligno in Perugia Italy was one of the few regions in Latin Christendom where physicians organized into guilds in the fourteenth century and thus routinely treated the general populace, rather than merely the wealthier mercantile and aristocratic classes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
The couple, who went public with their relationship in 2024, swore eternal love in Arizona during a very intimate ceremony away from English castles and aristocratic residences.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Early on in his first five, six starts, there were a lot of balls in play, obviously some soft contact, balls at guys.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
This mini dress is made from lightweight fabric that feels soft against the skin and has a breezy silhouette that keeps it from clinging.—
Emily Weaver,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The son of Italian nobles, Baldassare Castiglione’s main claim to fame was writing a book of etiquette based on his experience as a courtier, a person who serves as an attendant to a king, queen, or other member of a royal family.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The compromise would help appease hundreds of residents who complained at a five-hour public hearing Wednesday night about those cuts and some other proposals, including plans to eliminate the Office of Child and Youth Success.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The survey is the latest to show Trump has failed to appease voters’ economic concerns, with his disapproval rating on the economy increasing seven points, to 56%, since this time last year, though his approval rating has improved by one point, to 38%.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The couple posed for photos at the event, drawing attention to their gestating bundle of joy by framing and caressing Palvin’s belly.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Grudda pushed Barkow's wheelchair through the zoo, her hands caressing her mother's shoulders or pointing out the animals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Much of that comes down to the staff, whose warmth and genuine friendliness soften the immaculate service, making the hotel feel truly welcoming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Raman has also softened on no-camping zones in the city.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
