Definitions

lenient

[lee-nee-uhnt, leen-yuhnt] / ˈli ni ənt, ˈlin yənt /

ADJECTIVE

permissive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

benign compassionate compliant forgiving indulgent sympathetic tolerant

WEAK

allowing amiable assuaging assuasive being big benignant charitable clement complaisant condoning easy easygoing emollient excusing favoring forbearing gentle going easy on good-natured humoring kind kindly letting live with loving merciful mild mollycoddling obliging pampering pardoning permitting soft soft-shell softhearted sparing spoiling tender yielding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

hateful merciless

WEAK

hard intolerant limiting restrictive rigorous severe

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Attorney General now has 28 days under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme to decide whether to ask the Court of Appeal to look into the sentence.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

He said he would challenge it through the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows anyone to request a review of Crown Court sentences if they believe them to be too low.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The Attorney General's Office has referred the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025

The Attorney General's office said it had been asked to review the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2023

But when, superior to the rage of woe, I stood restored and tears had ceased to flow, Lenient of grief the pitying god began: 'Forget the brother, and resume the man.

From The Odyssey by Pope, Alexander

Vocabulary lists containing lenient

List 3

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Refugee

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A Doll's House

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