gentler
ˈjent-lər 
-tᵊl-ər
; gentlest
ˈjent-ləst
-tᵊl-əst
1
3
: moderate
His doctor recommended gentle exercise.
4
a
: belonging to a family of high social station
b
: honorable, distinguished
specifically
: of or relating to a gentleman
d
: suited to a person of high social station
the gentle art of sophisticated conversation
e
archaic
: chivalrous
: a person of gentle (see gentle entry 1 sense 4a) birth or status
gentled; gentling
ˈjent-liŋ
ˈjen-tᵊl-iŋ
1
2
: to raise from the commonalty : ennoble
: to become gentle
the wind gentled
Synonyms
Examples of gentle in a Sentence
Adjective
a dog that is gentle with children
Your mother has a gentle manner.
a gentle sense of humor
I heard a gentle knock at the door.
It's a delicate problem that requires gentle handling.
The job requires a gentle touch.
The cold snap was a gentle reminder that winter was coming.
Noun
the archbishop treated both the gentles and the commoners with respect and kindness
Verb
employees soon learned that their hot-tempered boss needed to be gentled several times a day
soothingly gentled his cat's head as she was being treated by the vet
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
In this gentle novel, an elderly widow finds her solitary routine disrupted by a mouse, setting off a sequence of events that reconnects with the larger world.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2024
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
Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for gentle 
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Adjective
Hand-wash-only items can often be machine-washed in a protective mesh bag using the gentle cycle.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 21 Nov. 2024
In this gentle novel, an elderly widow finds her solitary routine disrupted by a mouse, setting off a sequence of events that reconnects with the larger world.
—Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Since dry plane air can leave our skin feeling dull and dehydrated, applying a few gentle, moisturizing products can make a big difference.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2024
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
Verb
From transformative serums to gentle yet effective cleansers, this list has something for everyone to add to their skincare routine.
—Jessica Copeland, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for gentle
Dictionary Entries Near gentle
Cite this Entry
“Gentle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentle. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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