Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective pliable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pliable are adaptable, ductile, malleable, plastic, and pliant. While all these words mean "susceptible of being modified in form or nature," pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

In what contexts can adaptable take the place of pliable?

The words adaptable and pliable can be used in similar contexts, but adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

When would ductile be a good substitute for pliable?

The words ductile and pliable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

When might malleable be a better fit than pliable?

While in some cases nearly identical to pliable, malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

When can plastic be used instead of pliable?

Although the words plastic and pliable have much in common, plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

When is pliant a more appropriate choice than pliable?

In some situations, the words pliant and pliable are roughly equivalent. However, pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

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 pliable With a compliant Congress and a pliable media this could be as easy as getting Sean Hannity to genuflect to an impending USA Monarchy. Greg Marotta, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 2025 When temperatures rise above three hundred and fifty degrees Celsius, rock becomes soft and pliable. Brent Crane, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2025 What to look for in quality eyeshadow brushes Stiffness Some eyeshadow brushes have very little give, while others are soft and pliable. Bestreviews, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025 Then science kicks in, with molecules in the steak’s fat making the tannins more pliable, producing softer, smoother sensations, while the wine’s tannins mellow out the fat and coax more flavor out of the meat. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pliable
Adjective
  • However, most new users can start with the more flexible $1,500 first bet.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The sneakers use Vionic’s signature Vio-Motion technology for a stable, comfortable, and flexible fit that aids in full-body alignment.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • With a pliant Congress, Trump is using his office to benefit his family’s business interests, former prosecutors and ethics lawyers say.
    Natasha Frost, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
  • For all the talk and research that has gone into exploiting graphene’s pliant properties for use in wearable and flexible electronics, most of the polymer composites it has been mixed with to date have been on the hard and inflexible side.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Dec. 2016
Adjective
  • Chenier said Family First Center is trying to be adaptable in the event that federal funding is cut.
    Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
  • These minor setbacks pale in comparison to the challenges faced by rivals like Man City, whose struggles can be attributed to a lack of tactical flexibility — a stark contrast to Chelsea’s adaptable approach.
    Julia Ranney, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These new projects incorporate traditional grates for removal of solid waste like plastic bottles but also use a multilayer filtration system that mimics the way forests and wetlands naturally purify water.
    Courtney Heath, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
  • For instance, the near perfect rendition of human faces, animal hairs, object surfaces, often cause AI generated images to look plastic and unnatural.
    Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pliable. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on pliable

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