lenient
Americanadjective
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agreeably tolerant; permissive; indulgent.
He tended to be lenient toward the children. More lenient laws encouraged greater freedom of expression.
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Archaic. softening, soothing, or alleviative.
adjective
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showing or characterized by mercy or tolerance
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archaic caressing or soothing
Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lenient
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin lēnient-, stem of lēniēns “softened,” present participle of lēnīre “to alleviate, soften, soothe,” derivative of lēnis lenis
Explanation
If you're not overly strict, and you show tolerance and mercy when someone does something wrong, you're being lenient. Lenient means tolerant or relaxed, and is usually used when we’re talking about someone’s attitude toward discipline. In 19th-century child-rearing books, we often read about strict teachers who punish children just for squirming in their seats. These days teachers are more likely to be lenient, more understanding. If you're a big fan of discipline and punishment, however, lenient might mean "soft" or "indulgent."
Vocabulary lists containing lenient
List 3
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Refugee
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A Doll's House
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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.
His sentence has been referred to the Court of Appeal by the solicitor general under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
From BBC • Jun. 17, 2026
Lenient graders rather than rigorous ones would need to adapt.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP, said the case "shocked a nation", so it was "no surprise" she received a number of referrals under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2024
Under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, anyone can ask for a crown court sentence to be reviewed if they think it is too short.
From BBC • Oct. 17, 2023
Lenient as the law was, yet it required some grounds before it could free her.
From The Indulgence of Negu Mah by Arthur, Robert
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.
