Synonyms of leniency

leniency

noun

ˈlē-nē-ən(t)-sē 

as in mercy

kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it

the defense requested leniency in light of their client's lack of a prior criminal record

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mercy
• mercifulness
• empathy
• clemency
• lenience
• sympathy
• compassion
• forbearance
• kindness
• grace
• lenity
• charity
• tenderness
• goodness
• quarter
• pity
• generosity
• understanding
• love
• affection
• humanitarianism
• gentleness
• goodwill
• philanthropy
• softness
• favor
• meekness
• magnanimity
• benevolence
• altruism
• nobility
• worship
• humaneness
• kindliness
• devotion
• mildness
• care
• niceness
• commiseration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revenge
• retribution
• punishment
• retaliation
• vengeance
• ruthlessness
• cruelty
• violence
• vindictiveness
• discipline
• reprisal
• brutality
• virulence
• savagery
• sadism
• barbarity
• requital
• mercilessness
• scolding
• hatred
• venom
• spite
• viciousness
• vitriol
• chastisement
• atrocity
• uncharitableness
• savageness
• castigation
• truculence
• pitilessness
• wantonness
• hate
• malice
• hostility
• abhorrence
• hard-heartedness
• loathing
• jealousy
• antagonism
• animosity
• malevolence
• meanness
• malignancy
• detestation
• resentment
• abomination
• enmity
• antipathy
• spleen
• maliciousness
• malignity
• bitterness
• grudge
• execration
• nastiness
• gall
• jaundice
• hardness
• roughness
• bile
• harshness
• rancor
• pique
• spitefulness
• coarseness
• cattiness
• invidiousness
• hatefulness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun leniency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of leniency are charity, clemency, grace, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When is charity a more appropriate choice than leniency?

The synonyms charity and leniency are sometimes interchangeable, but charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When can clemency be used instead of leniency?

While in some cases nearly identical to leniency, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

In what contexts can grace take the place of leniency?

While the synonyms grace and leniency are close in meaning, grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When might mercy be a better fit than leniency?

The meanings of mercy and leniency largely overlap; however, mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of leniency

Houlihan, whose case was prosecuted by the international Athletics Integrity Unit, received no such leniency and was forced to spend the prime of her career on the sideline. —CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate. —Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025

And the era of leniency that followed lasted so long — nearly the entire Biden administration — that many borrowers are now being caught off-guard by the loan system's slow return to business-as-usual. —Cory Turner, NPR, 31 Mar. 2025

The program sought to establish a series of allowances — from leniency on masonry materials to flexibility with building height and parking limits — for developers willing to meet certain affordability criteria. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025