lenient

adjective

Definition of lenientnext
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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Example Sentences

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 Jones rejected his plea deal on July 2, 2024, for being too lenient for stalking and shooting a woman at least four times in November 2022, which sparked a tirade against the judge, court documents allege. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Best jumbo loan lenders right now FHA loans These are mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration — and because of that, the baseline requirements issued by the FHA are more lenient than mortgages not backed by the government. — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 2 July 2026 The Republican National Committee (RNC) led the push to eliminate these states’ more lenient vote-by-mail laws. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 For gardeners who have been slightly more lenient in their control efforts, this means that populations already present are now likely to become significantly more substantial, with a core breeding population already large to begin with. — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lenient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient
  1. sympathetic
  2. compassionate
  3. friendly
  4. merciful
  5. forgiving
  6. pleasant
  7. patient
  8. gentle
Adjective
  • Moreover, Greek society as a whole tends to be rather left-leaning and traditionally sympathetic to the Arab side.
    — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Republican leaders have generally been less sympathetic to unionization efforts of all types.
    — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of sympathetic
Adjective
  • Megrahi’s second appeal was later dropped as he was released on compassionate grounds due to a terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in 2009, according to NPR.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • Ultimately, navigating these challenging times with patience, humility, and authentic presence builds a resilient and compassionate organizational culture.
    — Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • Food and drink Tucked on the backside of the hotel, Peter B’s is a buzzy brewery and local hangout with a dog-friendly patio.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • At Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday, the MLS All-Stars defeated the Liga MX All-Stars in the MLS All-Star Game, 4-3, in the friendly designed to promote the league to new audiences.
    — Kamran Nia July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • Just when a dreadful day was approaching a merciful end, the chants from the remaining crowd at Citi Field poked fun at the New York Mets’ mess in a way boos cannot match with ridicule.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 25 June 2026
  • That painful night in Dallas now feels merciful, compared with what this Avs team just experienced.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
Definition of merciful
Adjective
  • The Bar Is Higher Now The companies that built their business models around a more forgiving era should take this moment seriously.
    — Richard Carranza, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The shirt comes in sizes XS to XL, and the fit is very forgiving.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Definition of forgiving
Adjective
  • The café-bar is a pleasant enough hangout with slate-gray walls punched with color, shelves of artsy souvenirs, and design magazines worth browsing, but the surrounding streets are stacked with great dining options.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • Now diners can savor the nuances of masa from all over Mexico – Oaxaca, Tlaxcala, Yucatan, Campeche – either indoors or in the pleasant, outdoor parklet.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Definition of pleasant
Adjective
  • Adrienne Andrews, an obstetrics nurse, said UPMC hasn't been following national standards set for nurse-to-patient ratios.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Sarepta provided limited grants to the Speak Foundation in 2024 and 2025 to support patient programs.
    — Kat Bryant Knudson, STAT, 31 July 2026
Definition of patient
Adjective
  • Altman may be right that a gentler singularity is already underway, with AI steadily reshaping work and research.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Use gentle, food-safe options like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda with a soft cloth or sponge to safely clean the interior.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 July 2026
Definition of gentle

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Cite this Entry

“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lenient for Spanish Speakers

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