lenient

[lee-nee-uhnt, leen-yuhnt]

adjective

1. agreeably tolerant; permissive; indulgent.

   He tended to be lenient toward the children. More lenient laws encouraged greater freedom of expression.

2. Archaic.,  softening, soothing, or alleviative.

lenient

/ ˈliːnɪənt /

adjective

1. showing or characterized by mercy or tolerance

2. archaic,  caressing or soothing

Other Word Forms

• leniency noun
• leniently adverb
• superlenient adjective
• superleniently adverb
• unlenient adjective
• unleniently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenient¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin lēnient-, stem of lēniēns “softened,” present participle of lēnīre “to alleviate, soften, soothe,” derivative of lēnis lenis

Word History and Origins

Origin of lenient¹

C17: from Latin lēnīre to soothe, from lēnis soft

Example Sentences

By entering a guilty plea, Zambada is expected to receive a more lenient sentence.

From BBC

Lady Justice Macur, sitting alongside Mrs Justice Cutts and Mr Justice Murray, ruled the boy's sentence was neither unduly lenient nor manifestly excessive.

From BBC

Essayli’s decision to offer the deputy a lenient postconviction plea deal triggered the resignations of several prosecutors in May, including the heads of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights sections.

From Los Angeles Times

"Many will feel the sentences passed down on the other defendants are far too lenient," Martin said.

From BBC

The current definition of heavy drinking in the U.S. may actually be too lenient, Lee said, especially compared to evolving global standards.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• benign 
• compassionate 
• compliant 
• forgiving 
• indulgent 
• sympathetic 
• tolerant 

When To Use

What does lenient mean?

Lenient means permissive or showing mercy, as opposed to strict or harsh.When you’re lenient with someone, you go easy on them. The word sometimes implies that maybe you’re going too easy, and should be more strict. On the other hand, if someone thinks a person is being too strict, such as when disciplining a child, they may tell them to be more lenient.The word can be used to describe a person, an action, or a policy. It is especially applied to things like punishments, such as prison sentences, that people think are not severe enough.The quality of being lenient is leniency.Example: In my opinion, the punishment is far too lenient—I think he’s getting off too easy.