PERMISSIVE Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

permissive

adjective

Definition of permissive

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 permissive Here agents were built to find software exploits and placed in flawed or deliberately permissive environments. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Operators instead would be instructed to follow local and state laws, which are often far more permissive. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 That means taking a more permissive attitude toward domestic oil and gas drilling — made more urgent by the US-Iran war — while continuing to support the rapid buildout of renewables. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 July 2026 What Business Leaders Need To Know Now For businesses that have spent years building around hemp, the debate has become less about permissive regulation and more about predictability. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for permissive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive

Adjective

Supporting and empowering women leaders is also about creating workplaces that are understanding, flexible and aware of the many responsibilities that women balance across their professional and personal lives, Cole stressed.

— WWD Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
Plastic is one of humanity’s most useful, flexible, and inexpensive inventions.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of flexible

Adjective

That calculation can reveal a sizable amount of informal self-insurance that never received the same planning, funding or governance as other financial obligations.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Around 400 former students and leading industry professionals made the trek from Paris for a day of conferences and informal gatherings.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of informal

Adjective

Considered too lenient toward the Germans, Marie-Adelaide abdicated in January 1919 in favor of her sister, Charlotte.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The allegations against Tran have led to other murder convictions being overturned, dismissals and relatively lenient plea deals in other cases.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of lenient

Adjective

Accessibility The property offers a range of fully accessible rooms across their price spectrum, and all buildings are equipped with ramps and elevators.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
Earn media coverage, contribute expertise to relevant conversations, keep company information current and make sure important developments are publicly accessible.

— Evan Nierman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of accessible

Adjective

As press coverage has documented at length, the lax default settings of Flock Safety cameras left them open to abuse, after which departments have often done little to stop that and hold officers accountable.

— Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026
The lax attitude about their home base is just part of the gig.

— Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of lax

Adjective

That seems to be his ideology at the moment, but in addition to that, many of these right-wing governments tend to be more pliable.

— Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026
Although my pole reaches the branches, the wire at the end is too pliable and the branches too strong to be hooked and pulled down.

— Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of pliable

Browse Nearby Words

permissions

permissive

permissiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of permissive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

watershed

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes