as in mercy
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it
a judge's reputation for lenience towards first-time criminals
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Recent Examples of lenience
Dunn famously forgave his attacker, asking for lenience at his federal trial.
—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Trilogy pulled through because of customers who went out of their way to support the business and order food to-go, the landlord’s lenience with rent, the PPP funding, its outdoor space and the health focus of her business at a time when health was on everyone’s mind.
—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Conservative applicants also voiced concern about liberal LGBTQ laws and lenience on crime.
—
Daniel De Visé,
USA TODAY,
15 Oct. 2024
Experts say this level of lenience can lead to rebellion, risk-prone temperament, and unhealthy habits.
—
Zara Hanawalt,
Parents,
29 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lenience
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2025
Trilogy pulled through because of customers who went out of their way to support the business and order food to-go, the landlord’s lenience with rent, the PPP funding, its outdoor space and the health focus of her business at a time when health was on everyone’s mind.
—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Conservative applicants also voiced concern about liberal LGBTQ laws and lenience on crime.
—
Daniel De Visé,
USA TODAY,
15 Oct. 2024
Experts say this level of lenience can lead to rebellion, risk-prone temperament, and unhealthy habits.
—
Zara Hanawalt,
Parents,
29 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for lenience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenience
Noun
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Read on for their top picks, including beach-ready flip-flops and dressier styles that won't leave your feet begging for mercy.
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Algeria found itself at the mercy of Lionel Messi who scored a wonderful hat-trick in its first game, although the Argentine forward was somewhat assisted by some terrible defending that will need to get better.
Noun
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Other defendants and their family members pleaded for leniency in court.
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Only when talking of what actually went on in the Rex Rooms in Chelsea at the end of a long day and night celebrating a win wrapped up before lunch on Sunday did Key offer any leniency towards cricketers who had been socialising with members of the Saracens rugby team.
Cite this Entry
“Lenience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenience. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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