gentles 1 of 2

noun

plural of gentle
as in nobles
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gentles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gentle
1
as in appeases
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 caresses
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 softens
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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentles
  1. nobles
  2. appeases
  3. caresses
  4. softens
  5. aristocrats
  6. soothes
  7. pats
  8. comforts
Noun
  • When it was closed down in 1539, its treasures, books and relics were seized and its lands and buildings sold off, some to local nobles and gentry, some to the town authorities of Bury.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In true Renaissance fashion, the two were surrounded by their yeomen, personal bodyguards to the nobles.
    — Rashad Alexander August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of nobles
Verb
  • This way of handling stress occurs when someone acts calm, appeases the threatening person and retreats to de-escalate the situation.
    — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The city’s first street food market appeases the vast spectrum of palates and preferences, from vegans' to meat-lovers', by featuring ten culinary traders who specialize in ethnic fare from Greece to the bayous of Louisiana.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of appeases
Verb
  • As if that same sea that caresses the feet of the palms were doing it now in Tokyo, in your house.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Princess Diaries star smiles, caresses her belly, then ducks out of the frame.
    — Redazione People, Vanity Fair, 19 June 2026
Definition of caresses
Verb
  • If buyers have already seen your ad several times, engagement softens, giving the platform another reason to show something else.
    — Matt Jayson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid draws moisture into skin for a more immediate plumping effect that softens the appearance of lines.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of softens
Noun
  • It’s named after India’s zamindars, the feudal landlords who held power as aristocrats for centuries.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The celebrated institution, attended by the children of aristocrats and wealthy families, has counted many British royals among its students since its founding in the 15th century.
    — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of aristocrats
Verb
  • The combination of liquid exfoliants gently boosts cell turnover and remove clogged pores, while tea tree leaf water hydrate and soothes.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Du says more work is needed to fully understand how music soothes a stressed brain.
    — Payal Dhar, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of soothes
Verb
  • As another period begins, Achord pats Melton on the head and Melton pats his coach on the back.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Taken from their backside, the pair is seen carrying golf clubs as the former NSYNC star pats his son on the head.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pats
Verb
  • Seattle comforts you with its natural beauty, quieting your mind and heightening your senses.
    — Giovanna Caravetta, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In one scene, Maddie gently comforts an elderly man whose brother was killed at the Pentagon when hijackers struck the building.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of comforts
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.

Browse Nearby Words

gentleperson
gentles
gentlewoman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gentles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentles. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All