gentles 1 of 2

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

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gentles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of gentle
1
2
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentles
Noun
  • While life expectancy was lower during the 15th Century, nobles like Simonetta often lived longer due in part to their wealth.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 June 2026
  • One of these high-ranking British nobles was the Earl of Euston.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • The menu appeases a multitude of appetites.
    Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2026
  • The discharge petition comes as Republicans have failed to put a plan for healthcare forward that appeases all of their caucus, as a small group seeks to work across the aisle for a solution.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • The Princess Diaries star smiles, caresses her belly, then ducks out of the frame.
    Redazione People, Vanity Fair, 19 June 2026
  • Those of us with a penchant for fashion have managed—not without effort—to put aside the knowing glances, caresses, and hugs to take in every detail of the look.
    Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Autumn softens the vistas along the Ring of Kerry and brings a quieter pace to the historic villages.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • In a heartbreaking moment, Paula asks why Trevor chose her, and Ashley softens a bit.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Perched along the Sea of Marmara, the boutique property sits on the largest of the islands, Büyükada, whose Ottoman-era mansions are where intellectuals and aristocrats held court in the 19th century.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 1 July 2026
  • These Virginia aristocrats had been raised on the same Enlightenment thinkers—David Hume and Adam Smith, Montesquieu and Voltaire—as John Adams and Samuel Adams had.
    James Traub, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Both come from curcumin, an active compound that supports immunity, soothes the gut, and encourages healthier gut bacteria.
    Tatiana Dias, Vogue, 25 June 2026
  • Plus, thanks to aloe vera and chamomile extract, the formula soothes sensitive, delicate skin.
    Jenny Berg, Glamour, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Each function compares itself to that function at other companies of similar scale and the functional leader pats themselves on the back for being ahead or at least not behind.
    Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Mama pats Rafa’s head then ruffles his hair.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Further video shows officers calmly evacuating two small children as the kids' family comforts them.
    Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • This hearty chicken chili comforts those nursing wintertime sniffles.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Gentles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentles. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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