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
Between all the aforementioned changes to college sports and the Committee on Infractions' lenient ruling in Michigan football's sign-stealing scandal, now's as good a time as any for Louisville to get started on this.
—
Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
The authorities decided to be lenient and return the boats after 11 days, with a citation.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig out of Troy had been too lenient, Jacqueline Reckling said.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Rivera testified at Donna Adelson’s trial about his cooperation with investigators which got him a more lenient sentence.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
The authorities decided to be lenient and return the boats after 11 days, with a citation.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig out of Troy had been too lenient, Jacqueline Reckling said.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Rivera testified at Donna Adelson’s trial about his cooperation with investigators which got him a more lenient sentence.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient
Adjective
-
The sympathetic system is responsible for the fight-or-flight response, while the parasympathetic system activates the body’s rest-and-digest mode.—
Clarissa Brincat,
Popular Science,
25 Sep. 2025
-
In that movie Beatty cast himself as a politically naïve newsman who became sympathetic to the Bolshevik (later Communist) cause.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Through the compassionate yet rigorous structures of restorative justice and the generosity of two people who might have spent their lives hating him, Dunne changed course.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
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When dads model respect and emotional awareness at home, their kids—and their coworkers—benefit from stronger, more compassionate leadership.—
Alex Shoemaker,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The free, family-friendly event includes a chance to meet local firefighters, watch live demonstrations, tour the station and get fire safety tips.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
-
And Benjamin heads to a friendly pub to get drunk.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This merciful act of sportsmanship came a month before Stewart’s tragic death on a chartered jet.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie.—
Amanda Castro
Gabe Whisnant
Anna Commander
Toby Meyjes
Shane Croucher
John Feng
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The computer zone is rectangular and rulebook-precise, not the more forgiving oval umpires have called for decades.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Expect less forgiving roll on your fairway shots, and possible slower greens.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Has a creamy taste that most people find pleasant.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
28 Sep. 2025
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While the flavor of this bread did not overwhelm our editors, many commented on the pleasant texture, making this store brand from ALDI a great option as the base for a sandwich or recipe.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Sep. 2025
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If successful, their approach could raise the standard of medical training and, ultimately, patient care.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The best hair diffusers easily work for all curl types, from the gentlest type 2 waves to type 4 coils.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Sep. 2025
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Her baby pink manicure was the perfect oval shape, as if deliberately avoiding square for an extra-gentle touch.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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