Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pliable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pliable are adaptable, ductile, malleable, plastic, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

In what contexts can adaptable take the place of pliable?

The words adaptable and pliable can be used in similar contexts, but adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When would ductile be a good substitute for pliable?

The words ductile and pliable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When might malleable be a better fit than pliable?

While in some cases nearly identical to pliable, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

When can plastic be used instead of pliable?

Although the words plastic and pliable have much in common, plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

When is pliant a more appropriate choice than pliable?

In some situations, the words pliant and pliable are roughly equivalent. However, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pliable The silky gel gets along with every curl type (our testers ranged from 2A to 3C), encasing spirals of all patterns in a pliable cast that helps keep them buoyant. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 The resulting pollen is as pliable as Play-Doh, says Shahrudin Ibrahim, a research fellow in Cho’s lab who helped to develop the technique. Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025 Some might go so far as to suggest that Ufotable’s work approaches the pinnacle of what animation can achieve this decade, tapping into that infinite potential of cinema’s most pliable medium (your mileage will vary). David Opie, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2025 The warm cookies, pliable for only a few seconds, are hand-folded with a hypnotic rhythm. Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pliable
Adjective
  • The rubber also features patches of non-slip material to keep you steady while staying flexible with every step.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Eric, a firefighter, worked shifts every third day, while Claire ran her own concrete coatings business with a flexible schedule.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The adjustable strap allows for wear around your waist orshoulders.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Other features like adjustable legs, zero clearance, and headboard brackets will help the frame fit into your space.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As Perez wrote, Musk’s free-speech absolutism was a fiction perpetuated by a pliant media.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Accusations of Russian interference Ahead of the election, Sandu accused Russia of attempting to sway the vote to install a government more pliant to Moscow through a vast disinformation campaign.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While mountain lions are highly adaptable to various ecosystems, their numbers declined historically due to being hunted by fearful humans.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • These adaptable machines could be deployed in environments currently too dangerous or inaccessible for humans or conventional robots.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Its lagers and IPAs tend to skew floral and citrusy, perfect for sipping from a plastic cup in the brewery's dog park.
    Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the people defacing Friend’s advertisements are expressing a much larger, inchoate rage at the broader AI industry, not just these plastic pendants that practically nobody owns.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pliable. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pliable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!