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Definitions

gentle

[jen-tl] / ˈdʒɛn tl /
ADJECTIVE
having a mild or kind nature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affable amiable benign compassionate considerate genial humane mellow moderate placid pleasant quiet soft tame tender
STRONG
cultivated disciplined domesticated pleasing taught trained
WEAK
agreeable biddable bland cool docile dove-like easy kindly laid back lenient manageable meek merciful pacific peaceful pliable softhearted sweet-tempered sympathetic temperate tractable warmhearted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitated callous cruel disagreeable excited hard harsh hateful healthy irritable loud mean merciless rough severe surly uncompassionate unfeeling unfriendly unhappy unkind violent wild
WEAK
crude low odorous putrid sharp strong troubled
ADJECTIVE
mild, temperate in effect on senses
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calm delicate mellow mild moderate muted placid quiet serene slight slow smooth soft soothing subdued tender tranquil
STRONG
faint hushed light low
WEAK
balmy bland clement easy feeble gradual halcyon imperceptible lenient low-pitched low-toned peaceful sensitive untroubled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitated boisterous callous coarse excited fierce hard harsh healthy intelligent loud noisy rough roused significant smart strong troubled turbulent uncontrolled violent wild
STRONG
heavy
WEAK
crude odorous putrid sharp unkind
ADJECTIVE
of noble birth
Synonyms
STRONGEST
courteous elegant genteel polite
STRONG
cultured polished refined
WEAK
Brahmin aristocratic blue-blooded highborn highbred noble upper-class well-born well-bred
Antonyms
STRONGEST
impolite rough rude uncivil unmannerly unrefined unsophisticated
WEAK
crude harsh loud low odorous putrid sharp strong troubled unkind violent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Amid all the big collisions, a gentle shove and a not-so-gentle rebuke generated the most headlines over the weekend.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

In contrast to earlier studies that relied on powerful laser pulses to generate these states, the Dresden team found that gentle stimulation using magnetic waves is enough.

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

But immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Latin America, India and Eastern Europe and their more assimilated children won’t have any problems relating to the generational conflicts at the heart of this gentle comedy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

This is not a gentle roast; this is a decisive one.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

I closed my eyes, soothed by the gentle brush of her tiny fingers, but she stopped suddenly, and I opened my eyes again.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.