pliant

adjective

pli·​ant ˈplī-ənt 

1

: pliable sense 1a

2

: easily influenced : yielding

a pliant Congress that agrees to anything the president wants

3

: suitable for varied uses

pliantly adverb

pliantness noun

Synonyms of pliant

• flexible
• pliable
• plastic

Choose the Right Synonym for pliant

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature.

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

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Examples of pliant in a Sentence

a pliant Congress that will do whatever the President wants

a pliant branch bent low with the weight of ripe fruit

Recent Examples on the Web

In recent months, Zelensky has seen the need to maintain the process of peace – to usher the current set of draft documents along, showing Ukraine is pliant, willing, and keen to find results for Witkoff. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026

Some bones, however, were pliant enough to receive special treatment. —Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026

Anyone who decides to learn between now and May, when Powell’s term as chair expires and Trump can appoint a more pliant replacement, will be wary of interest-rate cuts that could rekindle inflation. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Her baskets are mostly the yellowish brown color of her main thread, strips of basket rush made pliant after soaking in water. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pliaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French pliant, plyaunt "able to be bent or folded, obedient, compliant," from present participle of plier "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pliant

• client
• giant
• scient
• compliant
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant
• supergiant

Kids Definition

pliant

adjective

pli·​ant ˈplī-ənt 

1

: pliable sense 1, flexible

pliant willow twigs

2

: pliable sense 2, yielding

3

: adjusting to changing conditions : adaptable

pliantly adverb