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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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.
He said he would challenge it through the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, which allows anyone to request a review of Crown Court sentences if they believe them to be too low.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
The Attorney General's Office has referred the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025
The Attorney General's Office had received requests to reconsider Prosper's sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2025
An separate application to refer Cashman's sentence to the court under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme has previously been thrown out.
From BBC • Jul. 12, 2023
All parts of the lighter literature of old France are excellently treated by Lenient, Le Satire au moyen �ge.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 2 "French Literature" to "Frost, William" by Various
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.
