as in flexible
often disapproving
giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do
permissive parents Some states have more permissive laws than others.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of permissive
If Alito’s view prevails, that would be a catastrophe for free speech, as virtually all laws survive this very permissive test.
—
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025
These issues were common in older, more permissive data systems, some of which are still in use today.
—Kathleen Hurley, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Dec. 2024
Some of that might be due to the Rangers’ permissive defensive environment.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for permissive 
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025
These issues were common in older, more permissive data systems, some of which are still in use today.
—Kathleen Hurley, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Dec. 2024
Some of that might be due to the Rangers’ permissive defensive environment.
—Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
Adjective
-
Traditional curbside recycling systems cannot process most beauty packaging due to design, which is often too small, too flexible or made of too many different material types.—
Lauren Parker,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2025
-
Programs such as the Military Spouse Preference program and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership could offer pathways to secure employment with remote or flexible options.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr.,
USA TODAY,
4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The weakening of the informal sector and the care economy dependent on women contributes significantly to such a breakdown, as programs to support women's health and rights are stopped.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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Salvini’s call was accompanied by mob violence, mass evictions and demolition of Roma informal camps set up in the streets.—
Ronald Niezen,
The Conversation,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The case has long been viewed as a cautionary tale about government overreach in the digital asset space, with the severity of Ulbricht's original sentence standing in stark contrast to the more lenient treatment of other defendants highlighted in Senator Paul's letter.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Other experts agree that the seasons ahead will see the rise of aesthetics that have more lenient formulas, as well as new (or hybrid) versions of past trends that don’t necessarily require building a wardrobe from scratch.—
Ebony-Renee Baker,
refinery29.com,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world.—
Abdallah Fayyad,
Vox,
2 Feb. 2025
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Read more Taylor Swift Fans Are Blaming Travis Kelce for Her ‘Divisive’ New Style Era As the pop star’s signature accessible style gives way to logo-mania, Swifties are debating the cause of her recent fashion pivot.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Students have accused Harvard of being more lax when enforcing harassment and discrimination policies involving Jews, compared with Black or LGBTQ students, for example.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2025
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Both edges of the political spectrum appear to have convinced themselves that the remedy to lax penalties for the other side’s violent rioters is lax penalties for their own.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Phthalates, for instance, are a class of chemicals used to make plastic more pliable.—
Kristin Hostetter,
Outside Online,
22 Jan. 2025
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Most of all, don’t forget to ask yourself if the blanket is soft and pliable for ease of draping and functional use.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near permissive
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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