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.

Sangha's lawyers in March requested the judge to issue a more lenient sentence, arguing she had "accepted responsibility for serious criminal conduct" and did not have a prior record.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

But as of now, there are enough tailwinds in place—including more lenient tax policy, higher vehicle demand, and consistent retiree spending—to keep expenditures steady during the first quarter.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Instead, Lee says that students are more interested in addressing course engagement and rigor—particularly in courses called “gems,” which is Harvard slang for classes that offer a light workload and lenient grading.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

A federal appeals court agreed, upholding the state’s law under a lenient standard of review.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Fudge had been lenient with him because he was so relieved to find him alive.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Vocabulary lists containing lenient

List 3

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