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's Office had received requests to reconsider Prosper's sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2025

An separate application to refer Cashman's sentence to the court under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme has previously been thrown out.

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2023

A request to review his jail term under the Unduly Lenient Sentences scheme has been refused.

From BBC • May 30, 2022

A request for his punishment to be reviewed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme was refused as it did not meet the criteria.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2022

All parts of the lighter literature of old France are excellently treated by Lenient, Le Satire au moyen �ge.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 2 "French Literature" to "Frost, William" by Various

Vocabulary lists containing lenient

List 3

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Refugee

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