lenient

[ lee-nee-uhnt, leen-yuhnt ]

adjective

1. agreeably tolerant; permissive; indulgent:

   He tended to be lenient toward the children. More lenient laws encouraged greater freedom of expression.

2. Archaic. softening, soothing, or alleviative.

lenient

/ ˈliːnɪənt /

adjective

1. showing or characterized by mercy or tolerance
2. archaic.
   caressing or soothing

Derived Forms

• ˈleniency, noun
• ˈleniently, adverb

Other Words From

• leni·ent·ly adverb
• super·leni·ent adjective
• super·leni·ent·ly adverb
• un·leni·ent adjective
• un·leni·ent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenient¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin lēnient-, stem of lēniēns “softened,” present participle of lēnīre “to alleviate, soften, soothe,” derivative of lēnis lenis

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenient¹

C17: from Latin lēnīre to soothe, from lēnis soft

Example Sentences

Not even California voters agree with Newsom’s lenient sentencing policies for repeat criminals — as shown by the landslide approval of Proposition 36.

From Los Angeles Times

In other cases where Gascón has won a conviction or secured a plea deal, sentences have been arguably lenient.

From Los Angeles Times

The trial became a media circus, as did her stint at a prison in West Virginia nicknamed “Camp Cupcake” because of its supposedly lenient conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Lipson had unsuccessfully lobbied the judge to hand down a more lenient sentence, arguing that DePape suffered from mental health issues and isolation, which he said made him vulnerable to propaganda.

From BBC

The CPS and Leila’s private barrister appealed the sentence as being unduly lenient.

From BBC

Related Words

• benign
• compassionate
• compliant
• forgiving
• indulgent
• sympathetic
• tolerant

More About Lenient

What does lenient mean?

Lenient means permissive or showing mercy, as opposed to strict or harsh.

When you’re lenient with someone, you go easy on them. The word sometimes implies that maybe you’re going too easy, and should be more strict. On the other hand, if someone thinks a person is being too strict, such as when disciplining a child, they may tell them to be more lenient.

The word can be used to describe a person, an action, or a policy. It is especially applied to things like punishments, such as prison sentences, that people think are not severe enough.

The quality of being lenient is leniency.

Example: In my opinion, the punishment is far too lenient—I think he’s getting off too easy.

Where does lenient come from?

The first records of the word lenient come from around 1650. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb lēnīre, meaning “to soften, soothe, or alleviate” (lēnīre comes from the Latin lenis, meaning “soft” or “mild”). Lenient was first used in the context of medical remedies to ease pain or discomfort. (The related word lenitive is still used in this sense.)

Today, lenient is most often used to describe a person or punishment as being soft or mild. The word is often used in the context of expressing that someone or something is either too lenient or not lenient enough. For example, people often criticize short prison sentences for people who have committed violent crimes as too lenient. When a person is described as being lenient, it often implies that they’re choosing to not strictly enforce rules in order to make things easier for someone. Grandparents are often known for being more lenient than parents when disciplining children (or not disciplining them).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of lenient?

• leniently (adverb)
• leniency (noun)

What are some synonyms for lenient?

• lax
• permissive
• indulgent
• tolerant
• merciful

What are some words that share a root or word element with lenient? 

 

• lenitive
• lenis

What are some words that often get used in discussing lenient?

• punishment
• sentence
• strict
• mercy
• rules
• discipline

How is lenient used in real life?

Lenient is used in many different contexts, but most of them involve rules and punishment.

Rob Manfred issued stern warning to pitchers seeking retribution against #Astros for sign-stealing scheme, tough talk for an MLB commish who is taking heat for being far too lenient on HOU players who were granted immunity from punishment for testimony. https://t.co/WBcL7XpJKo

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) February 17, 2020

High school teachers: "Your college profs aren't going to be as lenient as we are"

College profs: "Sorry I'm late I didn't want to come"

— College Student (@ColIegeStudent) October 6, 2016

I always appreciated my parents being the perfect balance between strict and lenient 🥺

— バン (@nutn2dowichu) June 28, 2020

 

 

Try using lenient!

Which of the following words is an antonym (opposite) of lenient?

A. strict
B. permissive
C. forgiving
D. easygoing