gentled 1 of 2

adjective

as in tamed

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gentled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of gentle
1
as in appeased
to lessen the anger or agitation of employees soon learned that their hot-tempered boss needed to be gentled several times a day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in caressed
to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner soothingly gentled his cat's head as she was being treated by the vet

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3
as in softened
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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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 gentled
Verb
Lisiecki gentled his way through a Brahms waltz for an encore. — Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentled
  1. domesticated
  2. appeased
  3. caressed
  4. softened
  5. tame
  6. calmed
  7. patted
  8. subdued
Adjective
  • These inventions transformed honey bees from a largely feral species into semi-domesticated livestock that could be managed year-round, expanded, and reproduced.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Definition of domesticated
Verb
  • In a 3-0 battering of Scotland, manager Carlo Ancelotti appeased the people of Miami with a Neymar cameo.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 25 June 2026
  • Both agencies appeased a murderer.
    — Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of appeased
Verb
  • Kikuko cried out as her father’s hand slowly caressed her chest.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Slater caressed Miller’s stomach before Tao ran over to touch his mom’s bump with his hands covered in sand.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Definition of caressed
Verb
  • Despite its small stature, this mini table's design—with its dramatic sloping base and softened top—packs a punch.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Now, after ongoing discussions with FIFA, that stance has reportedly softened, with UEFA reportedly receiving reassurances that such a project will never be attempted again.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of softened
Adjective
  • Washington recently took a stake in a firm — run by a former Venezuelan government contractor who faces widespread corruption accusations — in an effort to tap the world’s largest oil reserves and tame fuel prices at home.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Federal Open Market Committee typically raises rates to help tame inflation, which rose faster than paychecks over the year in July and has remained above the Fed’s 2% target for five years.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of tame
Verb
  • Diplomatic talks ultimately calmed tensions, and no further attacks occurred.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Since then, 30-year Treasury yields rose 11 basis points and JGB yields 23 basis points, before Bessent again temporarily calmed markets following the announcement that the Treasury would more than double its long-term bond repurchases.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of calmed
Verb
  • Merrill helped Tatis to his feet and patted him on the chest.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • When an excitable teenager cut in front of my dad, Frankenstein — without saying a word — gestured for the kid to be patient and wait, patted my dad on the back and posed for a picture.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of patted
Adjective
  • On the other hand, this education leads some to overdress—that hyper-graphic maxi dress paired with a neon pink beret is going to clash with the more subdued, elegant looks that stylish Parisians tend to sport.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Storms can still find windows of opportunity to form and become a threat, even in an overall subdued season.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of subdued

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gentle
gentled
gentlefolk
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Cite this Entry

“Gentled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentled. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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