kid gloves

NOUN

tact and gentleness

Synonyms

WEAK

delicacy fastidiousness gentle handling gentleness good taste kid-glove treatment leniency light hand light rein refinement tact tolerance velvet glove

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.

"That kind of argument really belongs to the past," he says, noting the idea that foreign investors "have to be treated with kid gloves or they run away... no longer has much force".

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Given that Mr. Carlson’s journey into a vile and very weird world has been well documented, it’s no surprise he’d treat Mr. Fuentes with kid gloves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

He is a two-way star, coming off a second career Tommy John surgery, who has been managed with kid gloves and bubblewrap in his return to pitching duties this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2025

Pittsburgh has used kid gloves with Jones at times, though he also threw a career-high 96 pitches over seven brilliant innings against Colorado last weekend.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

Only if he thinks the same of me, but I’m the kind of person you have to treat with kid gloves, I know that all too well.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank