leniency
AmericanUsage
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.
Etymology
Origin of leniency
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
China's Ministry of Public Security said Thursday it would offer leniency if Chen's cronies turned themselves in.
From Barron's
President Lai Ching-te said Taiwanese authorities will "quickly clarify the details of the case. There will be no leniency and we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our citizens."
From Barron's
He apologized for the harm he inflicted and pleaded for leniency, citing his desire to see his family.
The BBC understands the lender group is hopeful their plan will get agreement in principle before the end of the year but has many critics over the proposed leniency on fines for pollution and spillage.
From BBC
At least 240 people were charged with treason after the protests, but the president later sought to ease tension and asked prosecutors to "show leniency".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
