1
as in weakly
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2
as in tenderly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gently
Once repair is complete, growth hormone activates a brainstem region called the locus coeruleus, which gently nudges you toward waking.
—
Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Take the time to scan from top to bottom, and don’t be afraid to gently move items aside.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Follow the footpath that winds above the river to discover even more natural pools with few, if any, other guests, and enjoy a soak with only the sound of the jungle and the river running gently below.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
These are similar to the OG Zero Pore Pads, but they’re formulated with sensitive skin-suitable ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol that’ll still gently exfoliate the skin.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Scrape bottom and sides of bowl and fold batter gently once or twice with spatula to ensure mixture is combined (batter will now be runny).
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
This assortment includes the Detox Pads, which gently remove all traces of makeup and impurities from the day and deep clean skin without stripping.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
To do this, spread a thin coating of compost across your grass and gently rake it into the soil.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
Take the time to scan from top to bottom, and don’t be afraid to gently move items aside.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
Follow the footpath that winds above the river to discover even more natural pools with few, if any, other guests, and enjoy a soak with only the sound of the jungle and the river running gently below.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Apr. 2026
These are similar to the OG Zero Pore Pads, but they’re formulated with sensitive skin-suitable ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol that’ll still gently exfoliate the skin.
—Madeline Merinuk, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2026
Scrape bottom and sides of bowl and fold batter gently once or twice with spatula to ensure mixture is combined (batter will now be runny).
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
This assortment includes the Detox Pads, which gently remove all traces of makeup and impurities from the day and deep clean skin without stripping.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
To do this, spread a thin coating of compost across your grass and gently rake it into the soil.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gently
Adverb
-
Because Anna and Matteo were never actually together, her clear attraction with Michael doesn’t face any meaningful obstacles, aside from some obligatory (and weakly justified) initial sniping between the two leads.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
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But Rodríguez struck out Olson on a check swing, and Austin Riley weakly rolled a change-up to shortstop to end the threat.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The new series Margo’s Got Money Troubles (streaming on Apple TV) tenderly illustrates the relentless, creative work of making a living online, Sophie Gilbert writes.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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Yet the director, Vanessa Caswill, stages it all with a tenderly forlorn Middle American plausibility.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Even with its unnecessary detours, Singing reaches this wild reverie in the end—a voice reclaimed to report, softly, from the fathomless depths of the human experience.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
29 Apr. 2026
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Sylvia, my copilot, snores softly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Alice Williams, an accomplished artist who became an influencer at age 80, has won the hearts of social media with her Instagram post that featured her husband, Don, sweetly helping her out with goodies sent to their home.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
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Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Even delicately putting your hands on someone in that heated situation is crossing a personal boundary.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
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Evening Muse Floor Lamp The Evening Muse Floor Lamp boasts a sturdy gold base and a delicately ruffled lampshade.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Besides being a record of events, the work is a crafty portrayal of kingship, presenting Akbar in an adulatory tone, as an exemplary and divinely favored ruler.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
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Some Kurdish legends here in Van say the cats are divinely blessed.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Heathcliff’s racial ambiguity — so central to the novel’s violence and otherness — is feebly erased.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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One man aboard the boat knew how to navigate the mangroves and sandbars of the keys, and with the late summer sun beating down on the rafters, the boat pushed out feebly into the open ocean.—
Miriam Pensack,
The Dial,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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In this story the problem is treated intimately and compassionately by a woman who knows all about it.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Williams says the same approach can help caregivers respond more compassionately when someone with dementia expresses a mistaken belief, confusing idea, or hallucination.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gently. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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