pliability

[ plahy-uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

1. the quality of being easily bent without breaking; flexibility:

   Sweet grass was favored by Native American basket makers for its sweet smell, pliability, and durability.

2. the quality of adjusting readily to change; adaptability:

   Education should take advantage of the pliability of a child's mind and encourage a sense of curiosity.

3. the quality of being easily influenced or persuaded:

   Recent political appointments have been based not on merit, competency, or ability, but on the candidate’s pliability, uncritical loyalty, and toadying behavior.

Other Words From

• non·pli·a·bil·i·ty noun
• non·pli·a·ble·ness noun
• un·pli·a·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pliability¹

pliabl(e) ( def ) + -ity ( def )

Example Sentences

Granted, the lenses—polarized glass from Germany—will collect scratches, but the frames themselves are pretty pliable.

From Outside Online

For those looking to take this trend for a spin themselves, Jinich recommends “that people heat the tortilla first on both sides, just to make it more resilient and pliable” before assembling and toasting.

From Washington Post

Sakai says to pull the hoshigaki down when they’re firm but still a little pliable and conduct a taste test.

From Eater

Infrastructure must be pliable enough to extend to dispersed locations on short notice.

From Nautilus

She is uncompromisingly Anglo-Saxon and lacks that pliability which would endear her to the children of another race.

From Project Gutenberg

Rachel looked at her father quickly, but with a pliability surprising in the male mind he managed to look unconscious.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't you think that my artistic deference and pliability deserve that it should also be better in consequence?

From Project Gutenberg

His policy wanted pliability, the only virtue which was here indispensable to its success.

From Project Gutenberg

The gate proper was made of wire, webbed together with stays, admitting of a pliability which served a double purpose.

From Project Gutenberg