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
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Recent Examples of lenient
Indyke also helped secure a lenient work-release program for Epstein by vouching for his employment, allowing Epstein to leave the jail for up to 16 hours a day, ABC News reported in 2021.
—
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
If held responsible for the murder, the minor, who is now 14, faces 8 months in a youth ranch program — a possible sentence that San Jose’s police chief and Santa Clara County’s district attorney also complain is too lenient.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Peters’ sentence is appropriate, and Lewis’ sentence should involve prison time as well, not just community service hours — that is much too lenient.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Peffer admitted to a lapse in judgment, but the Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to accept the JQC’s recommendation or opt for a more lenient, or severe, penalty.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
If held responsible for the murder, the minor, who is now 14, faces 8 months in a youth ranch program — a possible sentence that San Jose’s police chief and Santa Clara County’s district attorney also complain is too lenient.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Peters’ sentence is appropriate, and Lewis’ sentence should involve prison time as well, not just community service hours — that is much too lenient.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Peffer admitted to a lapse in judgment, but the Supreme Court has yet to decide whether to accept the JQC’s recommendation or opt for a more lenient, or severe, penalty.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient
Adjective
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His sympathetic patter also gives Guirgis an opportunity to start weaving in the character’s politics.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
-
To the chat-group members, her signature came as a particular disappointment, because she was seen as more sympathetic to their concerns.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Investing in specialized, age-appropriate behavioral health programming is both compassionate and practical.—
Crystal Hudson,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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With each conversation, Christina stayed compassionate, caring, and curious about his HS—the three C's Chaz wanted in a partner.—
Health Editorial Team,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon squares Jupiter, pitting your ambitious 10th house against your friendly 7th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But the financial institutions have begun to crowd out the city’s signature and historically local retail and restaurant-friendly Miracle Mile strip.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
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In a way, this can seem merciful.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Cherry tomatoes are more forgiving than larger varieties and tend to produce reliably.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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An additional 15 states that have more forgiving deadlines for ballots from military and overseas voters also could be impacted.—
Mark Sherman,
Twin Cities,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For a vehicle celebrated for sipping fuel rather than burning it, that’s a pleasant surprise.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Parks rose to fame in her teens, winning the Mercury Prize for her 2021 debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams, a diaristic clutch of pleasant soft-rock songs.—
Aimee Cliff,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those key warning signs include low patient counts, excessive billing, staff shared across multiple companies, and supposedly terminally ill patients who were later discharged alive.—
Adam Yamaguchi,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Finally, remember to be polite, patient, and persistent.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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