as in kindness
the quality of having a generally kind and agreeable manner
The students quickly learned that despite their new teacher's gentleness, good grades had to be earned through hard work.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of gentleness
With a calm yet vigilant temperament, the breed is known for its protective nature as well as its loyalty and gentleness toward family.
—
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Or the gentleness with which Kendall applies makeup to Ty’s face to hide a bruise.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
There is a tenderness lingering in the air that requires gentleness.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 17 Nov. 2025
Yet behind his sternness lived a man of reflection and sensitivity, whose words and verses hinted at a gentleness rarely shown.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentleness
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
Or the gentleness with which Kendall applies makeup to Ty’s face to hide a bruise.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
There is a tenderness lingering in the air that requires gentleness.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 17 Nov. 2025
Yet behind his sternness lived a man of reflection and sensitivity, whose words and verses hinted at a gentleness rarely shown.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentleness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentleness
Noun
-
Values of inclusivity, values of diversity and kindness.—
Kevin Baxter Los Angeles Times,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
However, to date, the relationship has been the best, as it has been adorned with love, kindness, joy and fulfillment.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Now’s the time to get these spring treasures and use them in our Melting Onions recipe—a side dish designed for the 1015’s large rings and natural sweetness, which leads to beautiful caramelization.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Tahini’s bitterness balances the intense sweetness of dates, the traditional Ramadan break-the-fast food; stuffing dates with tahini is a Ramadan treat.—
Faye Levy,
Oc Register,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s so much attentiveness and wholehearted care that goes into not just showing off, but embodying the resort itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Steady, intentional eye contact conveys attentiveness and respect.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The mentors and the performers all learn about patience and kindness.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Investors have been rewarded for their patience on DuPont — for those of us who held onto Qnity shares, the future looks bright there, too.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Opportunities for bipartisan work include anti-fraud and transparency, infrastructure resilience (water and grid), workforce development and trades, and improving government responsiveness without expanding bureaucracy.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Because precious metals purchases often involve direct interaction with company representatives, responsiveness and service quality are important indicators of reliability.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
By way of demonstrating his willingness to take on tough issues, LeBuhn, 37, cites his experience in Lightfoot’s City Hall, helping to spearhead the former mayor’s effort to end aldermanic prerogative, which gives aldermen effective veto power over most zoning decisions in their wards.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Having hit the ground running with the one-two punch of Promising Young Woman (2020) and Saltburn (2023), Fennell immediately showed a knack for provocation and a willingness to poke social-issue bears, even if the aim-to-grasp ratio tended to fall short.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Personality traits such as mental toughness, discipline, high pain tolerance and persistence may also lead to worsened eating disorder risk and behaviors in athletes.—
Emily Hemendinger,
The Conversation,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Advertisement But even as the partisan clashes intensified, lawmakers in both parties acknowledged that public tolerance for a DHS shutdown could erode quickly once the effects reach travelers and communities.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Gem State’s generosity is supported by above-average volunteer rates and neighborliness, according to My Counselor.—
Hali Smith,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
-
These lineages of genius and generosity, our inheritances of these epistemologies and practices may soon become our only defense, our only offense, and our only wealth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentleness. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
