supple

adjective

sup·ple | \ ˈsə-pəl also ˈsü-

suppler\ ˈsə-p(ə-)lər

\; supplest\ ˈsə-p(ə-)ləst

Definition of supple

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : compliant often to the point of obsequiousness

b : readily adaptable or responsive to new situations

2a : capable of being bent or folded without creases, cracks, or breaks : pliant supple leather

b : able to perform bending or twisting movements with ease : limber supple legs of a dancer

c : easy and fluent without stiffness or awkwardness sang with a lively, supple voice— Douglas Watt

supple

verb

suppled; suppling\ ˈsə-p(ə-)liŋ

Definition of supple (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make pacific or complaisant supple the tempers of your race— Laurence Sterne

2 : to alleviate with a salve

3 : to make flexible or pliant

intransitive verb

: to become soft and pliant

Other Words from supple Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about supple

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Other Words from supple

Adjective

supplely \ ˈsə-pə(l)-lē

\ or supply \ ˈsə-p(ə-)lē

\ adverb

suppleness \ ˈsə-pəl-nəs

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for supple

Synonyms: Adjective

bendy [chiefly British], flexible, limber, lissome (also lissom), lithe, lithesome, pliable, pliant, willowy

Antonyms: Adjective

inflexible, rigid, stiff, stiffened

Choose the Right Synonym for supple

Adjective

elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able to endure strain without being permanently injured. elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching. an elastic waistband resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed. a resilient innersole springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape. the cake is done when the top is springy flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking. flexible plastic tubing supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury. supple leather

Examples of supple in a Sentence

Adjective

a dome tent outfitted with supple fiberglass tent poles shoes made from supple leather

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Other sequences, set in the interior of the farmhouse, are softly backlit with what looks like natural light, casting everyone’s face in a supple glow. — Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, "'A Beautiful Summer' ('Le Bel été'): Film Review," 22 July 2019 Gently handled by keeper Benjamin Fan, Wally even permits a visitor to caress her supple, squamate skin. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘Roos, geese, and a blue-tongued lizard: Behind the scenes at San Diego Zoo Safari Park," 8 June 2019 The supple, sensational voice of Jennifer Myor takes on two: Hannah Chaplin, mother filled with powers of observation and emotional sensitivity, and Hedda Hopper, vengeful, self-righteous gossip columnist. — cleveland.com, "The arts help us honor the past and envision the future: Sun Messages," 6 July 2019 Pick up a mix of walnuts and sunflower seeds for omega-3s, get a side of sweet potatoes for a Beta-carotene boost and add an avocado to a salad or sandwich, these healthy fats equal soft, supple skin. — Essence, "5 Tips to Stage-Worthy, Festival Skin," 3 July 2019 Impressive for both its stature and supple lines, this four-bedroom, three-and-one-half bathroom home evokes casual elegance. — Bang Staff And Correspondents, The Mercury News, "Sponsored: Casual elegance infuses this modern Mediterranean," 1 July 2019 In the first song from Chansons francaises (a collection of occasionally catchy and witty adaptations of French folk songs by Francis Poulenc), the singers shaped their phrases with supple ease and sang with crystalline diction. — Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, "Cavernous confines? Acoustical issues a distraction at Orchestra of New Spain’s 'Paris in the 20s' concert," 28 June 2019 Begun a decade before the sculptor’s death, the piece originally featured the fallen Christ and the mourning Madonna as robust, supple figures, as in his most famous pieta, now at St. Peter’s Basilica. — Michael J. Bailey, BostonGlobe.com, "In Milan, a low-tech saunter through a mecca of high fashion," 18 June 2019 In February, the sublime jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant and supple pianist Aaron Diehl earned a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Summer arts 2019 | Music: Cécile McLorin Salvant, Bryan Ferry, blink-182 and more," 15 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'supple.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.