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
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Alex’s approach to encouraging their unique friendship has always been gentle.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 July 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
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
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
The shelter described her as gentle and sweet, good with other animals, and quick to improve when given soft opportunities for play.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Alex’s approach to encouraging their unique friendship has always been gentle.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 July 2025
Noun
Thursday’s weather will be mostly sunny, with a gentle to moderate breeze expected, although there will be occasional gusts up to 23 mph.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024
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
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
-
Our Reading Accent Chair is a must, with fabric and color options available in delicate Cream Linen or soothing Olive Green.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2025
-
For many aging pets, car rides can be a soothing and enjoyable outing.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Located on the North Island near the Manawatū River, Palmerston (Palmy, colloquially) is representative of many cities around the world, with a largely temperate climate and a population of around 91,000 residents.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 May 2025
-
Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike many royal spouses of the past, Princess Kate wasn't born into an aristocratic family with nobility or royal titles.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
In an aristocratic residence near Cassis on the Mediterranean coast, Camp Joli is prepping itself for its second season.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Queen Camilla styled an Anna Valentine emerald green midi dress with three-quarter-length sleeves, a rounded neckline and slightly flared skirt with soft pleats.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 July 2025
-
These attempts to reshape the narrative around China’s actions go way beyond cultural soft power.—
Isabelle Mayault,
The Dial,
8 July 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
-
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
-
The courtroom was so overcrowded at one point that town officials warned the building might collapse, prompting the judge to set up a temporary court outside to appease the masses.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
-
In the final days of negotiations in the Senate, lawmakers added a $50 billion fund to support rural hospitals and appease senators who were concerned about Medicaid cuts.—
Brittany Carloni,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
The camera caresses her, slicing her body into limbs, arcs, glints of effort.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 July 2025
-
Every single person who worked on the film caressed and massaged this sequence, including through post.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
On the campaign trail, the president spent time courting faith leaders throughout the country, often refusing to soften his language in those venues as well.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
By then, Trump had softened his tariff stance and the markets had rebounded accordingly.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share