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lenient definition

le·ni·ent (lēn′yənt, lē′nē ənt)

adjective

  1. not harsh or severe in disciplining, punishing, judging, etc.; mild; merciful; clement
  2. Archaic soothing

Etymology: L leniens, prp. of lenire, to soften, alleviate < lenis, smooth, soft, mild < IE base *leī-: see late

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

lenient Synonyms

lenient

modif.

loving, soft, soft-hearted, easygoing, permissive, favoring, mild, tender, yielding, complaint, pampering, clement, indulgent, humoring, tolerant, forbearing, pardoning, letting, permitting, allowing, gratifying, sympathetic, assuaging, assuasive, emollient; see also kind.

Antonyms severe*, firm*, austere.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

lenient Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • chore: Be lenient about chores and untidiness, give them a break and understand lost tempers and moodiness.

Modifies a noun

  • sentencing: She wants all examples of lenient sentencing sent to her.

Modifying Another Word

  • unduly: An unduly lenient sentence must not be simply lenient.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Two Stanley players were cautioned for foul and abusive language toward the referee during the first half, as the official seemed somewhat lenient.

Preposition: in

  • case: Punishments are considered by those polled to be far too lenient in cases of death or serious injury is caused.

Preposition: with

  • people: From: Steve Lund Date: Tuesday, 8 March 2005, at 6:12 pm judges are lenient with people like me.
lenient usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"lenient." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/lenient>

APA Style

lenient. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/lenient

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