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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of gentle
Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 2 Jan. 2025
Discovery's Max Taps Netflix Alum Eric Pallotta to Oversee Social, Editorial Marketing
Firth, by far the most famous member of the cast, sets the tone as the mild-mannered Swire, a gentle man driven to obsession and outrage by his family’s tragedy.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Jan. 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
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 
Adjective
Maggie likes to reward her soldiers with surprises like a silent disco party, but Quinn has no patience for this gentle approach.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 2 Jan. 2025
Discovery's Max Taps Netflix Alum Eric Pallotta to Oversee Social, Editorial Marketing
Firth, by far the most famous member of the cast, sets the tone as the mild-mannered Swire, a gentle man driven to obsession and outrage by his family’s tragedy.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Jan. 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
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Try providing the breed with a calmer and more soothing environment.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Neither Austan Goolsbee’s predictably soothing words nor the Friday index rebound were enough to offset fully the quicksilver repricing of Federal Reserve’s rate-setting path for next year, nor the 3% dump in the S & P 500 on Wednesday that followed the Fed’s decision and outlook release.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Nestled in the country’s southwest, Yunnan was known for its fertile valleys and temperate climate, ideal for growing rice and other staple crops.Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
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The fact that Spain is situated on a peninsula has blessed the country with a historically temperate climate.Umair Irfan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Adjective
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Follow your gallery tour with a visit to another villa that once belonged to an aristocratic family—Villa Medici.Anna Haines, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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After her Emmy win for Succession, Snook took home an Olivier for playing all 26 roles in this new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s witty, haunting novel of vanity, aristocratic cruelty, and greed.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As the discipline matures, soft skills such as communication and cross-functional teamwork will prove just as critical as technical acumen.Srikanta Datta, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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However, the cozy and soft feel of the fabric is ideal for chillier temps.Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Netflix series from showrunner Kathleen Jordan is inspired by the medieval Italian text by Boccaccio about a group of young nobles isolating from the Black Death who tell stories to pass the time: love stories, raunchy comedies, tragedies, morality tales.Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 26 July 2024
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Lafayette was a French noble who had volunteered his service to the Continental Army during the American Revolution and won the trust of George Washington.Elizabeth M. Reese / Made by History, TIME, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Biden’s exceptions will not appease people who resolutely oppose executions on religious, ethical or practical grounds.Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025
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While Trudeau sought to appease Trump, visiting him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the incoming president has since repeatedly jabbed at the prime minister, suggesting making Canada the 51st state and reiterating the idea in response to Trudeau’s resignation.Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Dan Sheldon Golf: A hole-in-one There’s no greater satisfaction in sport than carefully caressing a little white ball into a slightly larger hole in the ground with a metal stick.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
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The soil caressed my bare feet, and the dust was always boiling up from the dirt road that passed 50 feet from our front door.Philip Martin, arkansasonline.com, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Can a crispy chicken sandwich or a whisky cocktail soften the blow of existential despair?Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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The surge in immigrants arriving in Colorado last year softened the enrollment decline in the state’s public schools, which for years have been losing students — and funding — as birth rates fall across the nation.Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gentle
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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