permissiveness

[ per-mis-iv-nis ]

noun

1. the quality or condition of being accepting or tolerant of something, such as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove of or forbid:

   Polls show an uptick in both social permissiveness and skepticism of government intervention.

   Essays must adhere to the rules, principles, and formatting required for formal writing and should be free of the grammatical permissiveness that can be used in informal writing.

Other Words From

• non·per·mis·sive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of permissiveness¹

permissive ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

The report detailed systematic leadership failures that produced a permissive environment for sexual harassment and assault at the sprawling Texas army post.

From Washington Post

Campbell’s permissive approach to short-term rentals will harm San Diego’s working residents.

From Voice of San Diego

One agency executive said they expect YouTube will limit the new channels’ inventory to its most permissive brand-safety tier.

From Digiday

The permissive environment also helped create favourable conditions for the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

From No Straight News

“We live in a moment where people feel a certain degree of permissiveness—a willingness to be playful with identity,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

She smiled with large permissiveness on the young aspirant, who appeared not to understand her.

From Project Gutenberg

The "permissiveness" or indifference of the ruler of the universe grows amazingly.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• extravagance
• kindness
• leniency
• privilege