permissiveness

American  

[per-mis-iv-nis] / pərˈmɪs ɪv nɪs /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• nonpermissiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of permissiveness

permissive ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Without an investment in the therapeutic parts of the criminal legal system, we seem to be inclined toward one of two extremes — permissiveness or punitiveness.

From Seattle Times

Or is the era of permissiveness at an end for routine balloon-borne research?

From Scientific American

“Impunity always breeds permissiveness,” a recent post said.

From New York Times

These are places where a distinctive Bavarian blend of permissiveness and prohibition is on display, where Bavaria comes to let it all hang out — up to a point.

From Washington Post

“It’s a desire to prove to everyone and all their impunity and to demonstrate their permissiveness,” he said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• extravagance
• kindness
• leniency
• privilege