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.

She appealed the verdict in the hope of clearing her name, while prosecutors also did so arguing that the sentence was too lenient and the acquittals were wrongful.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Several Commerce Department inspector-general reports have criticized FirstNet Authority for holding AT&T to lenient network standards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

But recently, prosecutors dropped charges against a third of the officers and are offering lenient plea deals to several others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

"Slap them with a small fine if you must but free the prisoners who clearly meant no harm. Be fair and lenient with people who genuinely support the UAE. Let it be over," she wrote.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

The rules regarding admissible evidence are more lenient, allowing hearsay, or rumors.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Vocabulary lists containing lenient

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