adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonpliable adjective
- nonpliably adverb
- pliability noun
- pliableness noun
- pliably adverb
- unpliable adjective
- unpliably adverb
Etymology
Origin of pliable
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from French, equivalent to pli(er) “to fold, bend” ( ply 2 ) + -able -able
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.
It’s pliable enough to reshape for months, but firm enough not to melt or crack under studio lights.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
He may be tempted by the same template of removing Khamenei, and hoping for better luck with a more pliable successor, diplomats and Iran watchers say.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026
Humans are suggestible creatures with extremely pliable memories.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2025
This paradox raised a fundamental question: how can the planet's solid center appear firm yet strangely pliable?
From Science Daily • Dec. 10, 2025
My dad was a teacher; he was pliable and supportive and useless.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
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.
