adjective
-
easily bent; supple
a pliant young tree
-
easily modified; adaptable; flexible
a pliant system
-
yielding readily to influence; compliant
Related Words
See flexible.
Other Word Forms
- nonpliancy noun
- nonpliant adjective
- nonpliantly adverb
- nonpliantness noun
- pliancy noun
- pliantly adverb
- pliantness noun
- unpliancy noun
- unpliant adjective
- unpliantly adverb
- unpliantness noun
Etymology
Origin of pliant
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French, present participle of the verb plier ply 2; -ant
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.
In Edward’s time, a pliant British press didn’t call into question the future of the monarchy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
As originally conceived, Mossadegh was to be quietly arrested and replaced by a pliant new prime minister, Gen. Fazlollah Zahedi.
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
But whether that would make Tehran more pliant, let alone spur regime change, is questionable.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026
Those familiar with Crosstrek over the years should be equally surprised by the hush and pliant ride of today’s model.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 26, 2025
Try as he might the dog could do nothing to remove the pliant quills; he only succeeded in pushing them farther in.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
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.
