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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of permissive
In the most permissive and permissive states, non-Hispanic Black populations had the largest increase in firearm mortality among children, says the study.
—
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
In reality, many public IaC repositories contain risky configurations—from overly permissive access policies to unencrypted storage, as highlighted in Sysdig’s 2024 Cloud-Native Security Report.
—Matthew Sweeney, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Following public outcry, the council and mayor are scaling back the city’s permissive policy on accessory dwelling units.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
But our state’s law regarding homeschooling is one of the most permissive in the country.
—Peter Wolfgang, National Review, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
In reality, many public IaC repositories contain risky configurations—from overly permissive access policies to unencrypted storage, as highlighted in Sysdig’s 2024 Cloud-Native Security Report.
—Matthew Sweeney, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Following public outcry, the council and mayor are scaling back the city’s permissive policy on accessory dwelling units.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025
But our state’s law regarding homeschooling is one of the most permissive in the country.
—Peter Wolfgang, National Review, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
Adjective
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Helping ease the housing shortage by increasing the supply of small, relatively affordable homes within established neighborhoods, ADUs help slow the rise in housing prices and provide flexible living arrangements for changing family needs.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 June 2025
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The real winners are those who combine strategy with smart systems, focus on value, and stay flexible as technology and markets change and evolve.—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Chris Jackson/Getty Images At one stage, the king had hoped for a more informal meeting in Scotland, where the royals spend their summer holiday.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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The partnership was a crash course for them both: an informal academy with a class roster of two.—
Josh Rottenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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This section wipes out the existing film and photography permit requirements in national parks and replaces them with significantly more lenient rules.—
Sam MacIlwaine,
Outside Online,
11 May 2025
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Camargo acknowledged that lenient sentences have encouraged armed groups to recruit minors to commit crimes.—
Manuel Rueda,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The aircraft, built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, is from a time when air travel became more accessible to people.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2025
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So, Katz was, and continues to be, ahead of her time, offering a medley of individualized laser services (something that is still somewhat rare in combination) at a price that makes these often astronomical treatments relatively accessible.—
Nora Zelevansky,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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When boundaries become too lax, our health often suffers—something Black women, in particular, can’t afford.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
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The co-op allows pieds-à-terre and is pretty lax with subletting, which is permitted after two years of ownership.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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After all, the alternative of Joe Biden and later Kamala Harris was still seen to them as less desirable than Trump—who proved pretty pliable on the global stage during his first term.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
17 June 2025
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The wrappers need to be soaked one at a time in water for about 10 seconds, until pliable.—
Lizzy Briskin,
SELF,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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