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
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Recent Examples of lenient
Far from proposing lenient surrender terms to exonerate the Confederates, Grant did so in an effort to change their hearts and minds.
—
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Britain has touted its far more balanced trading relationship with the U.S. in recent weeks, looking for a more lenient approach from Trump.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
Far from proposing lenient surrender terms to exonerate the Confederates, Grant did so in an effort to change their hearts and minds.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
However, those services provide extra features for the money and are more lenient with participant limits.
—PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Britain has touted its far more balanced trading relationship with the U.S. in recent weeks, looking for a more lenient approach from Trump.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
Far from proposing lenient surrender terms to exonerate the Confederates, Grant did so in an effort to change their hearts and minds.
— Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
However, those services provide extra features for the money and are more lenient with participant limits.
—PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient
Adjective
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Reddit users in the comments section were sympathetic toward the former bridesmaid.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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He’s matched by his frequent scene mate Nevaeh as the sympathetic girlfriend, and Knight as Henry’s drunken, troubled father with secrets.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Officials expect about 100 prisoners each year will qualify for compassionate release, Buis said.—
Don Thompson,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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When delivering bad news, be succinct and compassionate.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to a beach that could pass for the Caribbean, neighboring Siesta Key has a friendly, small-town feel, complete with two villages and a trolley that offers free rides to the beach and other destinations.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
29 Apr. 2025
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Ford sat down with Carney for a friendly breakfast in a Toronto diner in March.—
Stephen Maher,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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To the relief of everybody, weeks of rumors/subterfuge/smokescreens/innuendo come to a merciful end.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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The Nets fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-91 Friday night at Target Center, bringing their 2024-25 road slate to a merciful end.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Kevin Kelly, a hairstylist and founder of Kevin Kelly Salon, says that straight, wavy and curly hair all respond to hair cuts differently, with curly and wavy styles being a little more forgiving if a trim isn't completely even.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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The vast majority of skeptics were far less forgiving.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Most of the week should be pleasant in the Baltimore area, with temperatures hovering in the upper 70s and low 80s before a chance of showers into the weekend.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
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On bord, the Norse flight attendants were pleasant and service was frequent.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Physicians suffering from burnout are more than twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents than physicians who are not suffering from burnout.—
Gil Press,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Despite increasing residency programs, student debt forgiveness, and tuition-free medical school, California is unlikely to meet patient demand, observers say.—
Bernard J. Wolfson and Vanessa G. Sánchez,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Follow discipline with a calm, comforting debrief Debriefing conversations should be gentle and happen after everyone has calmed down.—
Caroline Fleck, Contributor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
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When using a soothing, gentle and slightly higher-pitched voice, a dog will understand it as nonthreatening and reassuring.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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