leniency

[ lee-nee-uhn-see, leen-yuhn- ]

noun

, plural le·ni·en·cies.

1. the quality or state of being lenient.
2. a lenient act.

Word History and Origins

Origin of leniency¹

First recorded in 1770–80; leni(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

There is not a strict description for what qualifies as DAW software, and there are many programs that may or may not be considered DAWs depending on the leniency of the definition.

From Popular-Science

In the joint 2019 investigation, The Post and Courier and ProPublica revealed how South Carolina’s cloaked system of oversight for its state judges resulted in leniency and allowed allegations to remain buried — sometimes for years.

From ProPublica

In Suffolk County, cases are randomly assigned to prosecutors, and those prosecutors vary in their leniency.

From Time

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was in the majority in all of the decisions that granted more leniency, and her spot on the court has been filled by conservative Amy Coney Barrett.

From Washington Post

Prosecutors offered to recommend leniency for his full and substantial cooperation, but also made clear Schaffer could be charged with other crimes of violence if they learn of them.

From Washington Post

The governor of Punjab province, a Muslim man, called publicly for leniency for her.

From The Daily Beast

The self-declared caliphate is targeting its leniency, such as it is, along strictly sectarian lines.

From The Daily Beast

Nobody really expected leniency, but still there was hope because the charges against the journalists were so far-fetched.

From The Daily Beast

You are only entitled to such leniency if you tell the truth.

From The Daily Beast

But neither the failure of his plans nor his guilty plea brought leniency.

From The Daily Beast

With regard to the able-bodied pauper, at any rate for the first fifteen years after 1871, there was to be no leniency.

From Project Gutenberg

We are willing, however, to offer a leniency not required by the circumstances.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely leniency is the most becoming of all virtues, even in persons who have least need of anyone's indulgence.

From Project Gutenberg

And this leniency and forgiveness were the more remarkable, since he was not demonstrative in his affections and friendships.

From Project Gutenberg

I am thus confident of your leniency, because it seems to me that my case is not only a plain, but an interesting one.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• compassion
• mercy
• tolerance

More About Leniency

What does leniency mean?

Leniency is the quality of being lenient—permissive or merciful, 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.

A person, an action, or a policy can show or have the quality of leniency. The word is especially used in the context of punishments, especially official ones like prison sentences. In this case, it’s often used to imply that such a punishment is not severe enough in the opinion of the speaker.

A less common variant of leniency is lenience.

Example: In my opinion, they’ve shown far too much leniency with his punishment—I think he’s getting off too easy.

Where does leniency come from?

The first records of the word leniency come from around 1780. 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, leniency is most often used to refer to the mildness of a punishment. For example, people often criticize courts for showing too much leniency when giving short prison sentences for people who have committed violent crimes. Leniency often implies that a person is choosing to not strictly enforce rules in order to make things easier for someone. Grandparents are often known for having more leniency than parents when disciplining children (or not disciplining them).

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of leniency?

• lenience (noun)
• lenient (adjective)

What are some synonyms for leniency?

• laxness
• permissiveness
• tolerance
• mercy

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

 

• lenitive
• lenis

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

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

How is leniency used in real life?

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

Despite recommendations from advocates that have urged leniency & prioritizing youths' health and safety amid the pandemic, a 15-year-old in Michigan was incarcerated in May after a judge ruled the teen violated probation by not completing her schoolwork. https://t.co/Ouia6M4EEW

— Sentencing Project (@SentencingProj) July 18, 2020

How rare was the leniency that Barr sought for Roger Stone? Sentencing guideline calculations are complex, but in a year's worth of cases, the government only sought that kind of variance that in less than 2% percent cases: https://t.co/4FD2jRCiNV

— Sharon LaFraniere (@SharonLNYT) March 7, 2020

As consumers across the country worry about how they’ll afford next month’s bills amid the pandemic, executives accused of bilking student-loan borrowers out of roughly $15.6 million are receiving leniency because of their financial circumstances. https://t.co/2IAajSQcCp

— MarketWatch (@MarketWatch) July 18, 2020

 

 

Try using leniency!

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

A. strictness
B. permissiveness
C. forgiveness
D. laxness