LENIENT Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

lenient

adjective

as in sympathetic

allowing a lot of freedom and not punishing bad behavior in a strong way a teacher who is lenient with students who have misbehaved The public was outraged by the lenient sentence the corrupt banker received.

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of lenient Retailers say fraudsters are increasingly exploiting lenient policies, often by sending back cheaper or different items than what was originally purchased. —

Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026 His lawyers argued for a more lenient sentence, pointing to the harm caused to his family by the Unification Church. —

Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Even the most lenient parents often set boundaries on what their children watch. —

wendy Wisner, Parents, 17 Jan. 2026 Lee’s motion instructs the Los Angeles Fire Department to create regulations in line with the most lenient options that allow healthy vegetation and do not require the removal of tree limbs within five feet of a house. —

Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lenient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient

Adjective

Was sympathetic blood magic involved in Amy Madigan casting a spell over the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild?

— Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026
Both sides believed that any sympathetic act toward the enemy would represent an insult to their own soldiers.

— Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026