GENTLY Synonyms: 117 Similar and Opposite Words

gently

adverb

Definition of gently

as in weakly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in tenderly

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 gently On dry hair, use it to gently massage the scalp or detangle lengths to prevent pulling or breakage when the hair is at its most fragile (when wet). — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026 Wipe and gently buff your stainless steel fridge in the direction of the grain for a clean, polished finish. — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026 The device uses a soft sleeve and inflatable air cuff to gently secure the baby’s head as a clinician assists delivery. — Angela Haupt, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 The play’s tension, gently but poignantly unspooled, develops from the fact that while Ryan has pursued a career onstage, Charlie never did. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 Top with reserved hazelnuts and press in gently to adhere (surface will be smothered with nuts). — Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 As a result, there is a high supply of gently used plus-size apparel making its way into recommerce ecosystems. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 But the man simply stood there with a dazed expression on his face, swaying gently in the living room of their small, cramped flat, like a lone tree in the breeze. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 The condensation helps baste and gently cook the top without overcooking the chicken. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gently

Adverb

The Angels bunted him into scoring position, but Meckler struck out and Trout grounded out weakly.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2026
Led by Arne Güllich, researchers analyzed the developmental histories of 35,000 world-class adults, including Nobel laureates and Olympians, finding early excellence is weakly linked to adult achievement.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of weakly

Adverb

Sofia Coppola spoke tenderly about her late mother and their family’s film legacy at a BFI London Film Festival session on Thursday afternoon.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Greene, who loves to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, uses this premise as a way to tenderly explore these people’s lives.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of tenderly

Adverb

His solo debut, Heavy Metal, landed softly in the December hinterlands of 2024, and with it a murmuration of these little fibs.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
The whole time, music plays softly from speakers, and red hibiscus juice flows from pitchers into tall glasses.

— Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of softly

Adverb

Much of their relationship unfolds sweetly over Zoom calls while Peter, aka Petya, operates out of Vienna with Natalia still in Ukraine.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
The actor played the role of the sweetly endearing mouse puppet, a character beloved by children all over the world — and, apparently, Ed Sullivan.

— Kaja Andric, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of sweetly

Adverb

The flour tortillas are Chihuahua-style, delicately flaky, but dense and pliable enough to prevent leakage.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Beyond his sensitivity to light, Zumthor has also delicately handled how the new Beyeler buildings coexist with their environs.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of delicately

Adverb

Trump has long talked about his survival as divinely guided, a theme Vance took up.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Murder might seem like a harsh punishment for being a greedy guest, but in the poem, Zeus and Athena support and divinely assist Odysseus’s plan to massacre Penelope’s arrogant suitors.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

Definition of divinely

Adverb

Psychiatry is the work of building the airplane while flying it carefully, collaboratively, and compassionately, as conditions may change midair.

— Jennifer Adaeze Okwerekwu, STAT, 1 Sep. 2026
When delivered compassionately, a no communicates and models a strong sense of judgment as an executive.

— Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of compassionately

Browse Nearby Words

gentling

gently

gentries

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“Gently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gently. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of gently

adverb

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