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