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.

Meanwhile the Attorney General's office is also looking into the matter, after it received "multiple requests" to consider whether the sentence given to Vikrum Digwa was too lenient.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 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

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

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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