What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gentling
Example
The horse trainer spent hours gentling the wild mustang until it was calm enough to ride. [gentling: verb]
Example
She gently stroked her daughter's hair, gentling her after a nightmare. [gentling: gerund or present participle]
taming
Example
The circus trainer spent months taming the lions so they could perform in the show. [taming: verb]
Example
He was proud of his ability to tame even the wildest of dogs. [tamed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Taming is more commonly used than gentling in everyday language, especially in the context of exotic or dangerous animals. Gentling is a less common term but can be used in any situation where an animal needs to be calmed or trained.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gentling and taming?
Both gentling and taming are relatively informal terms and can be used in casual conversation. However, taming may be more commonly used in professional or academic contexts, especially in the fields of animal behavior or zoology.
