Lenient
adjective
Being kind, gentle, or showing mercy and not being strict or punishing harshly.
The teacher was more lenient with the new students.
Often appears as...
- lenient sentence
- lenient punishment
adjective
Allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a strong way.
His lenient sentencing of a repeat offender has attracted criticism.
Often appears as...
- lenient judge
- lenient interpretation
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
adjective
Being kind, gentle, or showing mercy and not being strict or punishing harshly.
The teacher was more lenient with the new students.
Often appears as...
- lenient sentence
- lenient punishment
adjective
Allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a strong way.
His lenient sentencing of a repeat offender has attracted criticism.
Often appears as...
- lenient judge
- lenient interpretation
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Severity Spectrum
Lenient is opposite to strict; use it when describing a softer approach.
The lenient guidelines allowed for more creative freedom.
Pro Tip 2/3Empathy Cue
Suggests that the person in power understands the situation and shows kindness.
Being late for the first time, he hoped for a lenient response.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Outcome
It often implies a more favorable outcome than one might expect from a rule or law.
To everyone’s surprise, the school's lenient policy on uniforms was well-received.
Pro Tip 1/3Severity Spectrum
Lenient is opposite to strict; use it when describing a softer approach.
The lenient guidelines allowed for more creative freedom.
Pro Tip 2/3Empathy Cue
Suggests that the person in power understands the situation and shows kindness.
Being late for the first time, he hoped for a lenient response.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Outcome
It often implies a more favorable outcome than one might expect from a rule or law.
To everyone’s surprise, the school's lenient policy on uniforms was well-received.
Pro Tip 1/3Severity Spectrum
Lenient is opposite to strict; use it when describing a softer approach.
The lenient guidelines allowed for more creative freedom.
Pro Tip 2/3Empathy Cue
Suggests that the person in power understands the situation and shows kindness.
Being late for the first time, he hoped for a lenient response.
Pro Tip 3/3Unexpected Outcome
It often implies a more favorable outcome than one might expect from a rule or law.
To everyone’s surprise, the school's lenient policy on uniforms was well-received.
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Video examples
How to spot a liar PIPE...
throughout the entire course of the interview, not just in flashes; they'll be infuriated throughout the entire course of the interview. And if you ask someone honest what should happen to whomever did forge those checks, an honest person is much more likely to recommend strict rather than lenient punishment.
Video examples
How to spot a liar -...
honest what should happen to ever did forge those checks an honest person is much more likely to recommend strict rather than lenient punishment now let's say you're having that exact same conversation with someone deceptive that person may be withdrawn look down lower their voice
Video examples
How I came to love my...
family tradition my mother my grandmother my aunts and many cousins they all wear the burka and it's something that's usually initiated at the age of puberty but in my case my folks were a little bit more lenient I
Video examples
Young Lions Kill Donkeys...
The lions have a lucky break. Since the donkey's were living wild, the community decides to be lenient this time.
Video examples
How to spot a liar PIPE...
throughout the entire course of the interview, not just in flashes; they'll be infuriated throughout the entire course of the interview. And if you ask someone honest what should happen to whomever did forge those checks, an honest person is much more likely to recommend strict rather than lenient punishment.
Video examples
How to spot a liar -...
honest what should happen to ever did forge those checks an honest person is much more likely to recommend strict rather than lenient punishment now let's say you're having that exact same conversation with someone deceptive that person may be withdrawn look down lower their voice
Video examples
How I came to love my...
family tradition my mother my grandmother my aunts and many cousins they all wear the burka and it's something that's usually initiated at the age of puberty but in my case my folks were a little bit more lenient I
Video examples
Young Lions Kill Donkeys...
The lions have a lucky break. Since the donkey's were living wild, the community decides to be lenient this time.
Example 1 of 4
Quote examples
Maggie Stiefvater
American Author
I adore book-to-film adaptations when they're done well, and I'm more lenient than many readers when it comes to what counts as 'done well.' For me, the most important thing is that the film maintains the spirit of the original book.
Quote examples
Cesare Beccaria
Italian Judge
The lawgiver ought to be gentle, lenient and humane. The lawgiver ought to be a skilled architect who raises his building on the foundation of self-love, and the interest of all ought to be the product of the interests of each.
Quote examples
Narendra Modi
Indian Politician
Some people will have to be afraid. Those who plunder the nation, deliver injustice, will have to feel scared of me. And I am not afraid of admitting this. Government cannot be so lenient that it forgives them.
Quote examples
Raza Murad
Indian Actor
Sometimes, the Censor Board is observed taking a lenient view with regard to certain explicit contents, which should be restricted, on screen. The board should be strict in curbing such contents.
Quote examples
Sergio Ramos
Spanish Athlete
Sometimes officials should look at English football and let us play more. I like their system because, in Europe, their referees are more lenient.
Quote examples
Katharine Gun
British Activist
I didn't feel at all guilty about what I did, so I couldn't plead guilty, even though I would get a more lenient sentence.
Quote examples
Giancarlo Esposito
American Actor
I have from time to time been a double A or triple A personality. I'm not anymore. I'm more lenient on myself.
Quote examples
James H. Clark
American Scientist
Stanford did a lot for me, and I've always felt indebted. It was a lenient and productive environment.
Quote examples
Frank Abagnale
American Celebrity
Almost any fault, sin or crime is considered more leniently if there's a touch of class involved.
Quote examples
Sue Bird
American Athlete
I've become really strict in a lot of ways, but I'm also very lenient. I'm kind to myself.
Quote examples
Maggie Stiefvater
American Author
I adore book-to-film adaptations when they're done well, and I'm more lenient than many readers when it comes to what counts as 'done well.' For me, the most important thing is that the film maintains the spirit of the original book.
Quote examples
Cesare Beccaria
Italian Judge
The lawgiver ought to be gentle, lenient and humane. The lawgiver ought to be a skilled architect who raises his building on the foundation of self-love, and the interest of all ought to be the product of the interests of each.
Quote examples
Narendra Modi
Indian Politician
Some people will have to be afraid. Those who plunder the nation, deliver injustice, will have to feel scared of me. And I am not afraid of admitting this. Government cannot be so lenient that it forgives them.
Quote examples
Raza Murad
Indian Actor
Sometimes, the Censor Board is observed taking a lenient view with regard to certain explicit contents, which should be restricted, on screen. The board should be strict in curbing such contents.
Quote examples
Sergio Ramos
Spanish Athlete
Sometimes officials should look at English football and let us play more. I like their system because, in Europe, their referees are more lenient.
Quote examples
Katharine Gun
British Activist
I didn't feel at all guilty about what I did, so I couldn't plead guilty, even though I would get a more lenient sentence.
Quote examples
Giancarlo Esposito
American Actor
I have from time to time been a double A or triple A personality. I'm not anymore. I'm more lenient on myself.
Quote examples
James H. Clark
American Scientist
Stanford did a lot for me, and I've always felt indebted. It was a lenient and productive environment.
Quote examples
Frank Abagnale
American Celebrity
Almost any fault, sin or crime is considered more leniently if there's a touch of class involved.
Quote examples
Sue Bird
American Athlete
I've become really strict in a lot of ways, but I'm also very lenient. I'm kind to myself.
Example 1 of 10
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