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.
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Recent Examples of permissive
States with more permissive laws can lower the costs of medical research and product development with cannabis, even if federal drug scheduling continues to restrict access.
—
Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
But even among states that have OK’d online sports betting, Florida stands out as one of the most permissive, least protective in the country, according to experts.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Skill regression is not caused by permissive parenting.
—Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
Baumrind believed parents who were not authoritarian were either authoritative or permissive.
—Kelley King Heyworth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Lucy Xiaolu Wang, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
But even among states that have OK’d online sports betting, Florida stands out as one of the most permissive, least protective in the country, according to experts.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Skill regression is not caused by permissive parenting.
—Liz Koch, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
Baumrind believed parents who were not authoritarian were either authoritative or permissive.
—Kelley King Heyworth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
Adjective
-
Suburban growth accelerated during COVID, McShane said, especially with flexible working options.—
John Marks,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
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Company leaders said the expansion reflects growing demand for smaller, more flexible grocery footprints in urban areas.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Putin meeting in contrast Xi's meeting with Putin over the last few days has been a more informal affair, with the Kremlin keen to emphasize that the two-day trip was just a part of regular contact and communication between Moscow and Beijing.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
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And while the film industry is one often considered to be ruled by informal gateways and insider circles, thus far, the Rover team hasn’t encountered any pushback from directors uneager to share their secrets.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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The fine for smoking in public, however, is $100, which is important to remember for those coming into the city from other more lenient states.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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The parents also are concerned about whether discipline was issued fairly, claiming students from wealthy families or who are related to school employees received lenient punishments.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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The on-site restaurants and lounge are also accessible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
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The tools are too good, too accessible and too deeply embedded in the software employees already use.—
Kobi Nissan,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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The combination of lax governance, increasingly capable and comfortable consumer AI tools and persistent employee pressure to find productivity gains fosters conditions ripe for similar trouble.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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The album is a curious document of a certain moment in college rock, the musical ecosystem built around boutique labels (often underwritten by majors, with lax oversight) and university radio stations (always DJed by enthusiastic undergrads, with no oversight).—
Dan Kois,
Pitchfork,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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