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gentle

gentle

45 1.0
Easy to handle or train and not aggressive
  • adjective
  • /ˈdʒɛntəl/
: dócil
  • The artists appeared to me to be gentle, perhaps in keeping with the patience needed in their work.
  • tame and gentle
  • a gentle man
  • a gentle child

Such a beautiful, gentle animal, like so, so sweet.

Examples

  • Reindeer are usually such gentle animals.

  • Despite his large size, the horse is surprisingly gentle and enjoys being around children.

  • And until next time, be gentle with yourself.

  • As you come out of this, be gentle with yourself.

  • You gotta be gentle with it.

  • But I remember the little gentle ways of a man who had nothing.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Women are kind, sensitive and gentle teachers of their children.

  • They're strong, gentle men with families of their own.

  • Father Daniel, the head of the school, was a gentle man who wore robes and smiled at the kids.

    Academic text (2004)
  • This wasn't a vicious beast, but an intelligent, gentle creature, whose soul reflected my own.

Synonyms

meek
vsgentle
37 4.4

Quiet and gentle and not likely to speak up

is manageable and compliant without implying being taken advantage of
mild
vsgentle
34 3.3

A person who is gentle and not forceful

is more about being manageable than about humble tone
docile
vsgentle
21 5.5

Easy to teach and willing to follow instructions

is more about being easily handled rather than just calm
mild-mannered
vsgentle
21 3.4

A person who is gentle, calm, and not aggressive

is easier to handle and follow instructions
tame
vsgentle
11 3.4

A person who is quiet and does not argue

is manageable and responsive without implying loss of will
gentle as a lamb
vsgentle
  • Informal
1 3.9

A person or animal who is very kind and not likely to hurt others

is milder and less extreme in tone

Antonyms

430 1.0

Living in a natural state and not tamed by people

12 6.2

Hard to control or deal with

Idioms

gentle as a lamb
  • Informal
1 3.9

A person or animal who is very kind and not likely to hurt others

Compounds

gentle breeze
  • Specialized
7 2.2

A light wind that moves leaves and cools the air

gentle giant
  • Informal
5 3.4

A very large person who is kind and calm

To convince someone with kind words or calm actions

A soft light touch to comfort a person or animal

gentle sex
  • NSFW
1 8.1

Physical closeness between partners that is soft, careful, and focused on comfort and trust

gentle spank
  • Informal
1 6.8

A light slap, usually on the arm, to get attention

falcon-gentle
  • Archaic
9.9

A female bird of prey used by people in falconry

6.7

Soft, quiet background music played in public places to make people feel relaxed

How Docile

submissive
39 5.1
obedient
44 1.0
docile
21 5.5
gentle
45 1.0
tractable
3 7.4
manageable
55 3.2

Surface Forms

gentle positive
gentler comparative
gentlest superlative

Etymology

Gentle is from the same root as gentleman and first meant 'well born' and polite, and from that it came to mean calm and easy to handle. So a 'gentle' dog or pony is one that is quiet, obedient and easy to train.