PLIANT Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'pliant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pliant are adaptable , ductile , malleable , plastic , and pliable . While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness. // an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

Q: When is it sensible to use 'adaptable' instead of 'pliant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pliant , adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses. // computer hardware that is adaptable

Q: Where would 'ductile' be a reasonable alternative to 'pliant'?

The synonyms ductile and pliant are sometimes interchangeable, but ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease. // ductile metals such as copper

Q: When could 'malleable' be used to replace 'pliant'?

Although the words malleable and pliant have much in common, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape. // the malleable properties of gold

Q: When would 'plastic' be a good substitute for 'pliant'?

In some situations, the words plastic and pliant are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: When is 'pliable' a more appropriate choice than 'pliant'?

The words pliable and pliant can be used in similar contexts, but pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated. // pliable rubber tubing

pliant

adjective

ˈplī-ənt

Definition of pliant next

as in flexible

able to bend easily without breaking a pliant branch bent low with the weight of ripe fruit

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How does the adjective pliant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pliant are adaptable, ductile, malleable, plastic, and pliable. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

When is it sensible to use adaptable instead of pliant?

While in some cases nearly identical to pliant, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Where would ductile be a reasonable alternative to pliant?

The synonyms ductile and pliant are sometimes interchangeable, but ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When could malleable be used to replace pliant?

Although the words malleable and pliant have much in common, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

When would plastic be a good substitute for pliant?

In some situations, the words plastic and pliant are roughly equivalent. However, 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 pliable a more appropriate choice than pliant?

The words pliable and pliant can be used in similar contexts, but pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

Examples of pliant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His two top lieutenants are vying for his spot, but Trump may seek to handpick a more pliant acolyte to the powerful position. —

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2024 But thanks to a Florida judge evidently in Trump’s back pocket, the blundering of a Georgia prosecutor and a pliant U.S. Supreme Court, none of the ex-president’s other criminal cases are likely to reach a jury in time for a verdict before Nov. 5. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024 But most clerics are pliant, and a vocal minority are even more extreme than their patriarch. —

Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2024 News outlets that for so long had been pliant to Castro could not ignore the outcry. —

Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pliant

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pliant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.