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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Recent Examples of lenient
And Trump has been far more lenient than his presidential predecessors in pursuing sanctions on Russia related to its war with Ukraine while also imposing relatively minimal tariffs on the nation as part of his overarching effort to realign global trade.
—
Eugene Gerden, Scientific American, 30 June 2025
Six people close to Ellis — a pastor, relatives and friends — also wrote heartfelt messages to the judge, urging him to be lenient with Ellis' sentence.
—Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Gonzalez was booked for this incident, but other referees have been more lenient.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 July 2025
The current definition of heavy drinking in the U.S. may actually be too lenient, Lee said, especially compared to evolving global standards.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Eugene Gerden, Scientific American, 30 June 2025
Six people close to Ellis — a pastor, relatives and friends — also wrote heartfelt messages to the judge, urging him to be lenient with Ellis' sentence.
—Ariela Lopez, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Gonzalez was booked for this incident, but other referees have been more lenient.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 27 July 2025
The current definition of heavy drinking in the U.S. may actually be too lenient, Lee said, especially compared to evolving global standards.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient
Adjective
-
Even for Southern Baptists who aren’t sympathetic toward Hunt and Sills, the legal costs to fight those cases have led to an overall diminished appetite for implementing and funding certain reform.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Maggie Carney is a comic delight as Elizabeth, the household’s sympathetic but highly disciplined head housekeeper.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Safe, compassionate care is always our top priority.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The drama, which had its world premiere as a special gala at the Berlin international film festival in February, stars September 5 and Teacher’s Lounge actress Leonie Benesch as Floria, a compassionate nurse whose hectic late shift turns into a race against time amid chronic staff shortages.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The actor was previously married to Demi Moore for 12 years, and the friendly exes have three daughters together: Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.—
Janelle Ash , Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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With the President off on one of his frequent overseas trips to visit ideologically friendly leaders like Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu (and don’t forget the receipt of more awards), the rest of the libertarian troupe was essentially speechless in the face of a historic political moment.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Founded in the mid-19th century as a grocery store in Greenwich Village, the bar retains a patina of its early years—the dim interior, wood walls, the merciful lack of thunka-thunk music.—
Harrison Hill,
AFAR Media,
19 Aug. 2025
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Eventually, when the game came to a merciful close, attention turned back to the health of Guerrero.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, today’s fashion rules are far more forgiving, and crisp whites are fair game all year.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Twenty years is a long time for an American whiskey to age, but light whiskey is more forgiving due to the fact that it can be matured in used barrels.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
The 25-year-old is always pleasant and wearing a big smile.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Having visited the dome myself, the clearest impression that stays with me is how Hiroshima isn’t just surprisingly pleasant, but beautiful.—
Ed Simon
August 18,
Literary Hub,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Through the strategic integration of AI, organizations can simultaneously improve patient outcomes, drive efficiency and enhance operational responsibilities.—
Mammon Baloch,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
To supplement those real-life cases, providers visit simulation labs, do monthly mock scenarios, and review advanced skills, such as using an ultrasound to help guide breathing tubes into patient airways.—
Arielle Zionts. KFF Health News,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
How to Trim Zucchini Plants Prune with a gentle hand, taking this approach from Sears.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The finish is long and silky, with subtle caramel and gentle wood spice notes.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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