Gentle vs. Harmless — What's the Difference?

Having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character

Not causing or incapable of causing harm.

Moderate in action, effect, or degree; not strong or violent

Not intended to harm or offend; inoffensive.

(of a person) noble or having the qualities attributed to noble birth; courteous and chivalrous.

Of or relating to an error in a trial that would not change the outcome and therefore does not call for a reversal of the case on appeal.

Make or become gentle

Not giving rise to legal liability

A maggot, especially the larva of a blowfly, used as bait.

Incapable of causing harm or danger; safe.

Considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender.

Not intended to harm; inoffensive.

Not harsh or severe; mild and soft

(obsolete) Unharmed.

Easily managed or handled; docile

Free from harm; unhurt; as, to give bond to save another harmless.

Not steep or sudden; gradual

Free from power or disposition to harm; innocent; inoffensive.

Of good family; wellborn

Not causing or capable of causing harm;

Suited to one of good breeding; refined and polite

Not injurious to physical or mental health

(Archaic) Noble; chivalrous

Not producing any toxic effects

One of good birth or relatively high station.

Unlikely to harm or disturb anyone;

To make less severe or intense

Not threatening to life or health; not malignant;

To soothe, as by stroking; pacify.

To tame or break (a horse).

(Obsolete) To raise to the status of a noble.

Tender and amiable; of a considerate or kindly disposition.

Soft and mild rather than hard or severe.

Docile and easily managed.

Gradual rather than steep or sudden.

Polite and respectful rather than rude.

(archaic) Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.

(intransitive) To become gentle.

To ennoble.

To break; to tame; to domesticate.

(transitive) To soothe; to calm; to make gentle.

(archaic) A person of high birth.

(fishing) A maggot used as bait by anglers.

A trained falcon, or falcon-gentil.

Well-born; of a good family or respectable birth, though not noble.

Quiet and refined in manners; not rough, harsh, or stern; mild; meek; bland; amiable; tender; as, a gentle nature, temper, or disposition; a gentle manner; a gentle address; a gentle voice.

A compellative of respect, consideration, or conciliation; as, gentle reader.

Not wild, turbulent, or refractory; quiet and docile; tame; peaceable; as, a gentle horse.

Soft; not violent or rough; not strong, loud, or disturbing; easy; soothing; pacific; as, a gentle touch; a gentle gallop .

One well born; a gentleman.

A trained falcon. See Falcon-gentil.

A dipterous larva used as fish bait.

To make genteel; to raise from the vulgar; to ennoble.

To make smooth, cozy, or agreeable.

To make kind and docile, as a horse.

Cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of;

Give a title to someone; make someone a member of the nobility

Stroke soothingly

Soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe;

Having or showing a kindly or tender nature;

Quiet and soothing;

Belonging to or characteristic of the nobility or aristocracy;

Easily handled or managed;

Having little impact;

Marked by moderate steepness;