permissive
habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.
granting or denoting permission: a permissive nod.
left to one's choice; not mandatory: This legislation is permissive and merely authorizes counties to levy a tax if in the county's best interest.
Genetics. (of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.
Origin of permissive
1Other words for permissive
Other words from permissive
- per·mis·sive·ly, adverb
- per·mis·sive·ness, noun
- non·per·mis·sive, adjective
- non·per·mis·sive·ly, adverb
- un·per·mis·sive, adjective
Words Nearby permissive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use permissive in a sentence
Kaminsky has pointed out that he did not write the law, and favored a less permissive version.
The Trailer: Not just Virginia: From county to county, an off-year battle for the suburbs | David Weigel | October 28, 2021 | Washington PostCompared to other countries — including places like Japan, Singapore, Germany — we can afford to be more permissive.
The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not (Ep. 469) | Stephen J. Dubner | July 15, 2021 | FreakonomicsScience actually requires a permissive attitude to published claims in order to do its job of discovering important truths.
How to Make Sense of Contradictory Science Papers - Issue 100: Outsiders | Haixin Dang & Liam Kofi Bright | June 2, 2021 | NautilusIn the US, some traveled across state lines to take advantage of more permissive eligibility criteria in neighboring states.
The US worried about vaccine tourists. Now it’s encouraging them. | Eileen Guo | May 26, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewFor instance, the guidelines could become more permissive as vaccination becomes more widespread and cases continue to fall.
People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can socialize without masks, CDC says | Tina Hesman Saey | March 8, 2021 | Science News
Edward and Alexandra were the most permissive royal parents.
The program is medically based, not permissive as in states like Colorado that are experiencing the consequences of legalization.
Chris Christie to the Drug War: I Wish I Knew How to Quit You | Olivia Nuzzi, Abby Haglage | June 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTJust as important, however, is a permissive external environment.
Why Democracy Will Struggle In The Arab World In 2014 | Balint Szlanko | January 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 2008, Mark Krikorian published an important new book arguing against permissive immigration.
With every other drug, attitudes today are less permissive today than they were a generation ago.
Don't Legalize Marijuana: The Case for More Paternalism in America | David Frum | January 10, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIt would be better to give them all charters of incorporation; but still he would make that permissive.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanIt contained a permissive clause which allowed of the formation of companies to control the spirit-sale in towns.
Though they seldom come out of their houses, except under permissive sanction, yet their stock of gossip is almost inexhaustible.
The Hindoos as they Are | Shib Chunder BoseThe Mosaic provision had been but permissive, and was justified only because of existing unrighteousness.
Jesus the Christ | James Edward TalmageCalvin never said anything harsher; and all that can only be excused if it is to be understood of a permissive will.
Theodicy | G. W. Leibniz
British Dictionary definitions for permissive
/ (pəˈmɪsɪv) /
tolerant; lenient: permissive parents
indulgent in matters of sex: a permissive society
granting permission
archaic not obligatory
Derived forms of permissive
- permissively, adverb
- permissiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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