pliable Definition
pli·able (plī′ə bəl)
adjective
- easily bent or molded; flexible
- easily influenced or persuaded; tractable
- adjusting readily; adaptable
Etymology: LME plyable < MFr < plier, to bend, fold < L plicare, to fold, bend: see ply
pliable Related Forms
pliable Synonyms
pliable
modif.
Flexible
flexible, pliant, plastic, ductile, malleable, limber, supple, elastic, bending, bendable, workable; see also flexible 1.Tractable
tractable, pliant, docile, compliant, persuadable, persuasible, receptive, manipulable, adaptable, flexible, malleable, yielding, acquiescent, manageable, impressionable, irresolute, like putty*; see also docile, obedient 1.
pliable and pliant both imply a capability of being easily bent, suggesting the suppleness of a wooden switch and, figuratively, a yielding nature or adaptability; plastic is used of substances, such as plaster or clay, that can be molded into various forms which are retained upon hardening, and figuratively suggests an impressionable quality; ductile applies to that which can be finely drawn or stretched out, as copper, and figuratively suggests being easily led; malleable is used of that which can be hammered, beaten, or pressed into various forms and figuratively suggests a readiness to be trained, changed, molded, etc. copper is malleable as well as ductile; at a malleable age
pliable Usage Examples
Preposition: at
top: Check that they are firm at the base, soft and pliable at top Take cuttings 10-15cm ( 4-6in ) long with sharp knife.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
make: Does salt water or fresh water make onion skins more pliable?
Modifies a noun
- dough: Using a wooden spoon, slowly mix in the water until the mixture forms a pliable dough.
- plastic: I think it needs to be a softer, more pliable plastic.
- material: The vacuum cylinder is made from a pliable material giving flexibility.
- vinyl: Made of soft pliable vinyl that molds to foot and ankle for a tight fit.
- construction: Pliable Very flexible construction that makes the installation very easy in all conditions.
- texture: They are made with fine oatmeal to give a pliable texture but pitted surface.
Modifying Another Word
- very: Brushes had very pliable hairs, usually made from deer, goat, wolf or hare.
- extremely: They are also extremely pliable and can be cut to fit any shape.
- still: The mix, whilst still pliable is cut by special tools, each with its own design.
- so: Perhaps not so pliable as the mine, but in many details much better.
- suitably: These leaves are long and grassy, and probably suitably pliable for building into a nest.
- fairly: Quality Dried whole Chillies should be a deep rich red color and fairly pliable.
Used with adjective complement
- become: Using a wooden spoon, slowly mix in about 500ml of warm water, until the dough becomes pliable.
- render: Milliseconds drifted like slow-motion leaves tumbling from an autumnal tree, as tho time had been stretched, elasticised and rendered most pliable.
- prove: In 1941, on the assumption that he would prove suitably pliable, the French installed 19 year-old Prince Sihanouk on the Cambodian throne.
- remain: Putty contains drying oils which are necessary in order for the compound to remain pliable.
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