leniency
noun
le·nien·cy
ˈlē-nē-ən(t)-sē 
-nyən(t)-sē
plural leniencies
1
: the quality or state of being lenient
the leniency of the punishment
2
: a lenient disposition or practice
The prisoner asked the judge for leniency.
Examples of leniency in a Sentence
the defense requested leniency in light of their client's lack of a prior criminal record
Recent Examples on the Web
The judge cited the defendants' ages and health concerns as reasons for leniency.
—
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 6 June 2025
Mia Matthews, ex-wife of Palm Beach real estate swindler and Rowland friend Robert Matthews, was in federal court Thursday in Bridgeport where, after pleading for leniency, she was sentenced to probation and fined $6,000 for evading $2.75 million in taxes with her former husband.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
But Brockbank, who faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Thursday for making online threats, is asking for leniency.
—Colleen Slevin, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
The alternative is a life of leniency, unsullied by any kind of reproach: cloudless.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leniency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doc Louallen, ABC News, 6 June 2025
Mia Matthews, ex-wife of Palm Beach real estate swindler and Rowland friend Robert Matthews, was in federal court Thursday in Bridgeport where, after pleading for leniency, she was sentenced to probation and fined $6,000 for evading $2.75 million in taxes with her former husband.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
But Brockbank, who faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Thursday for making online threats, is asking for leniency.
—Colleen Slevin, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
The alternative is a life of leniency, unsullied by any kind of reproach: cloudless.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leniency
Cite this Entry
“Leniency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leniency. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leniency
noun
le·nien·cy
ˈlē-nē-ən-sē
-nyən-sē
: the quality or state of being lenient
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share