permissive

[per-mis-iv]

adjective

1. habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.

   Synonyms: lax, lenient, indulgent

2. granting or denoting permission.

   a permissive nod.

3. 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.

4. Genetics.,  (of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.

permissive

/ pəˈmɪsɪv /

adjective

1. tolerant; lenient

   permissive parents

2. indulgent in matters of sex

   a permissive society

3. granting permission

4. archaic,  not obligatory

Other Word Forms

• permissively adverb
• permissiveness noun
• nonpermissive adjective
• nonpermissively adverb
• unpermissive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of permissive¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French permissif “granting permission”; permission, -ive

Example Sentences

His California origin represents a fundamental challenge that cannot be overcome through political skill or messaging strategy, as the state carries perceptions of being far left, permissive, and disconnected from middle America’s priorities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The founders may have opted for more permissive language because they were relying on norms and a jealous legislative branch to constrain presidential adventurism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The scammers operate in a "highly permissive environment... with permission from junta-affiliated Burmese militia", concluded a report last month by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Read more on Barron's

Dr Nimer Sultany believes Israel has "repeatedly invoked wild and highly permissive interpretations of the laws of armed conflict, including the question of proportionality, that defy both common sense and authoritative understandings of international law".

Read more on BBC

But the voices of Jews upset over what they have described as UCLA’s permissive approach to campus antisemitism also rose in protest.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• indulgent 
• lax 
• open-minded 
• tolerant