gentle
1 antonyms and opposites of gentle, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Kind, mild, and careful, especially in dealing with others.
Antonyms
How to use gentle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French gentil ("noble, high-born"), from Latin gentilis — the meaning shifted from "of good birth" to "kind and mild-mannered", the trait nobility was supposed to show.
Full origin of gentle →Frequently asked questions
What does “gentle” mean?
The word “gentle” means kind, mild, and careful, especially in dealing with others. In plain terms, soft, mild, and careful rather than rough or forceful.
How do you pronounce “gentle”?
“Gentle” is pronounced JEHNTL (/ˈd͡ʒɛntl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “gentle” in a sentence?
Here is “gentle” used in a sentence: “She spoke in a gentle voice to calm the frightened dog.”
What is another word for “gentle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gentle” include friendly, kind, polite and respectful.
What is the opposite of “gentle”?
The opposite of “gentle” — its antonyms — is rude.
What part of speech is “gentle”?
Depending on how it is used, “gentle” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “gentle” come from?
The word “gentle” comes from Latin. From Old French gentil ("noble, high-born"), from Latin gentilis — the meaning shifted from "of good birth" to "kind and mild-mannered", the trait nobility was supposed to show.
Is “gentle” a common word?
“Gentle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between "gentle" and "kind"?
"Gentle" emphasizes a mild, soft, and careful manner, especially in how you touch, speak, or handle something. "Kind" emphasizes good intentions and concern for others, so a person can be gentle in their actions and kind in their motives at the same time.
What is the comparative form of "gentle" — "gentler" or "more gentle"?
Both "gentler" and "more gentle" are accepted, with "gentler" being the more common comparative and "gentlest" the superlative. "More gentle" can sound natural for emphasis, but "gentler" is usually preferred.
What is the difference between "gentle" and "soft"?
"Soft" often describes physical texture or a lack of firmness, while "gentle" describes a mild, careful quality of action or manner. A pillow is soft, but a touch, breeze, or reminder is gentle.
What are common collocations with "gentle"?
"Gentle" frequently pairs with words like breeze, giant, reminder, and slope, as in "a gentle reminder" or "a gentle breeze." These phrases draw on its sense of mildness and lack of harshness.