adj

lenient

LEE-nee-uhnt

adj

Not strict; willing to allow mistakes or wrongdoing without harsh punishment.

"The teacher was lenient about late homework during exam week."

"Critics say the sentence was far too lenient for such a serious crime."

How to Use Lenient

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEasy-going about rules or punishment rather than strict.

Easily confused with

lenient → leniency →

Common pairings

a lenient sentence lenient parents lenient policy

more lenient comparative, lenients plural, most lenient superlative

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The teacher was _____ about late homework during exam week.

From Latin lēnīre, "to soften or soothe," from lēnis, "soft, mild."

despotic draconian heavy-handed severe stern strict stringent unlenient

meticulous absolute draconian stern serious mild rigorous strict

orient ancient patient salient ambient obedient nutrient gradient sentient impatient transient recipient

despotic draconian heavy-handed severe stern strict stringent unlenient meticulous absolute serious mild