Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pliant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pliant are adaptable, ductile, malleable, plastic, and pliable. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

When is it sensible to use adaptable instead of pliant?

While in some cases nearly identical to pliant, adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Where would ductile be a reasonable alternative to pliant?

The synonyms ductile and pliant are sometimes interchangeable, but ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When could malleable be used to replace pliant?

Although the words malleable and pliant have much in common, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

When would plastic be a good substitute for pliant?

In some situations, the words plastic and pliant are roughly equivalent. However, plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

When is pliable a more appropriate choice than pliant?

The words pliable and pliant can be used in similar contexts, but pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

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 pliant Japan hasn’t been as pliant as Trump seemed to expect. William Pesek, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 Letz is a physically and emotionally pliant but also a verbose actor of great versatility, able to play a standard Second City dad and Chicag’ow type, but also a neurotic (lots of call for that in this show) and a dweeb and, well, whatever gets thrown his way. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025 Both sides were able to claim victory through their pliant national media. Sushant Singh, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025 The 19 Best White Hydrangeas for Your Garden The 12 Best Pruning Shears to Keep Your Garden in Check In early spring, hydrangea produce fresh, slightly pliant new growth known as softwood, which make excellent cuttings for propagating. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pliant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pliant
Adjective
  • The rubber also features patches of non-slip material to keep you steady while staying flexible with every step.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Eric, a firefighter, worked shifts every third day, while Claire ran her own concrete coatings business with a flexible schedule.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Combining the soft, pliable feel of a waffle towel with the plush texture of a throw blanket, this Snuggle Sac blanket puts a new spin on the genre of desk blankets and TV cover-ups.
    Kristi Kellogg, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025
  • These help keep arteries pliable, support healthy blood flow, and manage cholesterol levels.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • How2work, a design production house in Hong Kong’s Kwun Tong district, manufactures most of the plastic renditions of the characters from The Monsters series.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2025
  • The city now has plastic turf on eight fields at five parks, and at other city playgrounds and recreational areas.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pliant. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pliant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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