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.

Referees in the English professional game adopt a more lenient approach to handball than other nations, albeit still within the laws.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

City Council moved to adopt relatively lenient “Zone Zero” laws for homes in fire danger zones, measures that do not align with the plans that state agencies are working to enact.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Law officers have 28 days to decide if they think a case is too lenient, and if so can request the Court of Appeal to consider.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 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

French premier Clemenceau had failed to achieve all the demands of the French people, who complained that the peace terms were too lenient and that Germany should have been partitioned into smaller, weaker states.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

Vocabulary lists containing lenient

List 3

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Refugee

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

A Doll's House

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!