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
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Like Mind Bodhi’s Toe Spacers, these shouldn’t dramatically stretch your toes at first—the spacers are nice and soft for a more gentle sensation.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 16 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
In one scene, she is chosen to sing for a live BBC wartime radio broadcast and performs this gentle but defiant song.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Like Mind Bodhi’s Toe Spacers, these shouldn’t dramatically stretch your toes at first—the spacers are nice and soft for a more gentle sensation.
—Sara Coughlin, SELF, 16 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
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It’s bundled with essential oil sets that offer soothing scents like lavender, jasmine, and citrus—ideal for stress relief, promoting better sleep, or enhancing a cozy atmosphere.Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 19 Dec. 2024
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Through a blend of aloe vera, cucumber extract, and soy proteins, this wash aims to remove dirt and makeup, while soothing redness, hydrating skin, and boosting elasticity.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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There were some horror results — including a 24-1 defeat to Portugal in the Four Nations tournament in 2004 — but progress was always likely to be slow in a country that lacks a ‘court culture’, partly because the temperate nature means outdoor sports can be played year-round.Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
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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
Adjective
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On another rack is a coat made with a tweed that belongs to the family estate of an aristocratic customer.Samantha Conti, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
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Gunn describes his take as less of an origin story and more of a journey, with Superman struggling to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage and aristocratic origins with his small-town, adoptive human family.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Chadwick says that over the last 10 years, football has acted as a glue: managing the country’s image and profile through soft power and diplomacy.Simon Hughes, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
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Smooth a small amount onto dry hair to revive soft definition in your second- or third-day curls.Sarah Hoffmann, Allure, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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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
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One of the most eyebrow-raising anachronisms involves the scene in which a Roman noble is shown sipping tea in a cafe while reading the morning newspaper … 1,200 years before the invention of the printing press.Benjamin Svetkey, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
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But Republicans, who had spent 24 hours largely negotiating with themselves to cut out the extras conservatives opposed and come up with the new plan, ran into a wall of resistance from Democrats, who were in no hurry to appease demands from Mr. Trump – or Mr. Musk.Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
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The overall effect has been destabilising and if Howe cannot appease his dressing-room with new signings — or any other tangible evidence of ambition — the big picture threatens to become opaque.George Caulkin, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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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
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Its heat caresses a skewer of marshmallow-tender veal sweetbreads shining beneath a lip-sticky demi-glace.Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Conservators applied solvent gel to soften the paint before carefully shaving away the layers using plastic scrapers.Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
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The persistence of high mortgage rates will put some downward pressure on prices, since demand will soften as many consumers forego expensive loans, experts said, but the high rates will also exacerbate a lack of supply that has kept prices soaring.Max Zahn, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near gentle
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentle. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
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