LENIENT Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

lenient

adjective

Definition of lenient

as in sympathetic

allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a strong way a teacher who is lenient with students who have misbehaved The public was outraged by the lenient sentence the corrupt banker received.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lenient Colorado took a more lenient course, allowing brewing companies to wholesale their own products directly to licensed retailers. — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026 Supporters of Proposition 132 say lenient criminal penalties are among the reasons. — Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 Centers instead would abide by their state's early learning regulations, which are often more lenient. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 Some Palestinians and human rights groups had described Azaria’s sentence as far too lenient. — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lenient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient

Adjective

That her means of exit is abandoning her newborn twins is less than sympathetic, but in a different era Cathy would have options beyond a domesticity that never suited her in the first place.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
In my experience, many corporate teams drift between sympathetic over-activation (burnout) and dorsal shutdown (disengagement).

— Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of sympathetic

Adjective

On ordinary days, the loop is a training ground for runners and cyclists, and an unusually forgiving place for beginners and families.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
Timeless, versatile, and chic, barn jackets strike the right balance between casual and polished while having a looser, more forgiving silhouette that can easily be layered with a sweater, blouse, or long-sleeve shirt on chilly days.

— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of forgiving

Adjective

Brisbane 2032 vice president Tim Mander and chief marketing officer Brent Hill told the weekend news conference the accidental release was a pleasant surprise.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
And the owners’ taste, in this case, is pleasant and broadly appealing, complimenting the home’s high ceilings and historic features.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasant

Adjective

As more telehealth sites prescribe these medications and pitch them as a way to lose weight while saving money, some patient advocates argue that more people like Kinkade will fall through the cracks of a broken regulatory system.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Its return to the market was initially accompanied by strict requirements for blood monitoring to ensure patient safety.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of patient

Adjective

This one, steeped in milk and cream, sparks off the roof of your mouth with a gentle chile burn and the pleasantly numbing zap of cloves.

— Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
The American Medical Association recommends chin tucks, gentle neck rotations and half-neck circles during the day.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of gentle

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“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lenient

adjective

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