as in flexible
often disapproving
giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do
permissive parents Some states have more permissive laws than others.
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Recent Examples of permissive
Thanks to older siblings and friends, permissive parents, fake IDs, and unethical sellers, some young people have always found ways to evade these bans, and similar tactics could work for surmounting a social-media ban as well.
—
Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
But others look to further loosen already permissive policies.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026
Kansas has its own slate of permissive gun laws.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
The explosive growth and permissive regulatory environment has ignited a debate about the underbelly of an industry that essentially turns many features of modern life into potential monetary wins and losses.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Keith Humphreys, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
But others look to further loosen already permissive policies.
—Isabella Cueto, STAT, 29 Jan. 2026
Kansas has its own slate of permissive gun laws.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2026
The explosive growth and permissive regulatory environment has ignited a debate about the underbelly of an industry that essentially turns many features of modern life into potential monetary wins and losses.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
Adjective
-
Experts believe the crown’s flexible mount was strained when thieves wrenched it from its display through a narrow slot cut by the angle grinder, according to a report by the Louvre.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The passenger version supports flexible layouts.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Political interference, informal blacklists of filmmakers, and public attacks on artists have become systemic.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Guests will encounter Alice, enjoy boutique shopping, and indulge in teas, pastries, tea sandwiches, champagne, live music, and informal modeling.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Epstein’s lenient plea deal with federal prosecutors was the subject of the Miami Herald’s 2018 ‘Perversion of Justice’ series.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
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As mentioned above, though, warm minimalism is more lenient in this regard, and welcomes the incorporation of personal items that are special or tell a story.—
Erica Puisis,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility This property is not currently accessible for wheelchair users.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Drive-thru services, which became more common during the pandemic, continue at some congregations as a way to make the observance accessible for families and commuters.—
Staff Photographer,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The delivery driver walked past deputies stationed at the scene, prompting outcry about potential contamination and the lax security at the crime scene.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Child-care fraud in Minnesota is one of many examples, and Minnesota is only one of many states with lax control of welfare spending.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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