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.
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Recent Examples of gentleness
But there is a new gentleness, too.
—
Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
If your family is preparing to welcome a pet or adding a new furry friend to the crew, this video will help reinforce important pet-care concepts like exercise, love, and gentleness.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
Yet, gentleness, empathy, and even wry humor break through in many of the songs here.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 Mar. 2026
This is a moment of gentleness.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gentleness
Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
If your family is preparing to welcome a pet or adding a new furry friend to the crew, this video will help reinforce important pet-care concepts like exercise, love, and gentleness.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
Yet, gentleness, empathy, and even wry humor break through in many of the songs here.
—David Harris, SPIN, 2 Mar. 2026
This is a moment of gentleness.
—Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gentleness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentleness
Noun
-
If the several buildings the report says Taxpayer 1 was delinquent on taxes included, say, a bar or ramshackle eyesores, that will look like something other than Stewart extending kindness to a stranger.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Harding defines kindness as an act of generosity expecting nothing in return.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On April 26, Venus will meet with Neptune in a harmonious sextile, adding an air of fantasy, sweetness and courage.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
-
There’s ample spice and heat present, along with a bit of sweetness and notes of maple, brown sugar, white pepper, cinnamon toast, wintergreen, and licorice.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a gentleness, patience, care, and concentration in meaningful work, an attentiveness close to love, that embodies the best in culture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Once traversed by Genghis Khan, this is a focal point of Scythian-Turkic culture, whose arid slopes somehow sustain nomadic life that demands constant attentiveness to the environment.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even with a new CEO and a new structure under Dana Walden, who was promoted to president and chief creative officer as Josh D’Amaro succeeded Bob Iger as CEO, the stance from Disney has been to exercise more patience.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
-
It would be dedicated to the heroic patience with which Americans have tolerated billionaires like him for so very long.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His work deepened and developed under the responsiveness of the academy and a larger and not-yet-balkanized reading public.—
Nick Laird,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
This hybrid design is plush and cozy but doesn’t sacrifice responsiveness or edge strength.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His smarts and willingness to do the dirty work are coach-pleasing qualities.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Golden State leans into pace, spacing and a willingness to live beyond the arc.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mayor Karen Bass said the city is taking a zero-tolerance approach.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Starting low and building up gives your skin time to develop tolerance without the irritation, peeling or redness that can come from using retinoids too aggressively.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Harding defines kindness as an act of generosity expecting nothing in return.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Attention around Simpson has since taken off, with people commending him for his kindness and generosity.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentleness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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