pliant Hear it!

pliant Definition

pli·ant (plīənt)

adjective

  1. easily bent; pliable
  2. adaptable or compliant

Etymology: ME plyande < MFr, prp. of plier: see pliable

pliant Related Forms
pli·ancy noun or pli·ant·ness pli·antly adverb
pliant Synonyms

pliant

modif.

  1. Yielding under influence

    tractable, yielding, pliable; see docile, obedient 1, pliable 2.

  2. Yielding under physical pressure

    limber, supple, plastic, pliable; see flexible 1, pliable 1. See syn. study at pliable.

pliant Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: Keep joints pliant and soft throughout all the movements.

Modifies a noun

  • tool: This view reduces people power to little more than the pliant tool of the US.
  • body: A hitherto pliant, forgiving student body has crystalised against Alasdair Smith and his ongoing academic vandalism today.
  • rod: Pope writes:- Methinks I see our mighty monarch stand, The pliant rod now trembling in his hand.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: True strength lies in a fearless powerlessness, that is not assertive but is equally not pliant to another's will to domination.
  • too: Now this ' privilege ' has been withdrawn as a measure to weaken the none too pliant membership.

Browse dictionary entries near pliant

  1. pliable
  2. pliability
  3. plié
  4. plexus
  5. plexor
  6. plexiglass
  7. Plexiglas
  8. plexiform
  9. -plex
  10. plew
  1. plica
  2. plicate
  3. plication
  4. plicature
  5. plier
  6. pliers
  7. plight
  8. plimsolls
  9. plink
  10. plinth