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
Epstein served a 13-month sentence after pleading guilty in 2008 to a state-level prostitution charge as part of a deal now widely regarded as too lenient.
—
Luc Cohen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Some states are much more lenient than others, allowing drivers as young as 16 to obtain an unrestricted license.
—Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 18 Aug. 2025
Blanco wrote in the motion that the other defendants in the case testified against Patron during the trial to try to secure more lenient sentences.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Many buildings have become notably more lenient in some regard, allowing pieds-à-terre, financing (there are holdouts, like 812 Park), trusts, pets, and new money.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Luc Cohen, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Some states are much more lenient than others, allowing drivers as young as 16 to obtain an unrestricted license.
—Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 18 Aug. 2025
Blanco wrote in the motion that the other defendants in the case testified against Patron during the trial to try to secure more lenient sentences.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Many buildings have become notably more lenient in some regard, allowing pieds-à-terre, financing (there are holdouts, like 812 Park), trusts, pets, and new money.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lenient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenient
Adjective
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Public sentiment seemingly reached a turning point in July as reports of famine and Israeli soldiers firing on food lines in Gaza drove even sympathetic Democrats to issue rebukes.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps, though, Kubrick's cold view of Jack and choice to diminish some of King's sympathetic nuances serve to heighten the terror; how much does knowing the complex motivations of a domestic abuser help their victims?—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In all of those cases, the patients had run out of other options, and the organs were transplanted not through a standard clinical trial, but under special rules that permit compassionate use of experimental therapies for people in especially dire situations.—
Nadia Kounang,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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Pure techno-solutionism falls short; building compassionate, regenerative AI demands philosophical and ethical rigor alongside technical excellence.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The result is a set of policies that has baffled some China experts, or at least raised questions about the president’s stance on America’s friendly rival.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Twine also noted its subtle scent, quick absorption, and makeup-friendly finish.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The 2025 season will last for only four more games, and the organization could have let this disappointing campaign come to a merciful end.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Family of victim has 'very forgiving heart' In April, the teen was sent to Buckeye Ranch, which operates a secure facility offering inpatient behavioral and mental health services in Grove City.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Sep. 2025
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For Koepka, the margin was slimmer and the timing less forgiving.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Sinner had left the court for a medical timeout after losing the second set, and was sweating heavily from the first set onward on a pleasant 77-degree evening.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The fact that people actually read it — that now, TFD is a fully-fledged media company with a staff of eight and a monthly audience of over 3 million women — came as a pleasant surprise.—
Chelsea Fagan,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Be patient and calm, Work zones are not there to inconvenience you.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Newsweek has created a map showing which hospitals have the highest patient revenue per capita, after new analysis by a personal injury firm.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Make sure to choose the cool water setting and a low-spin or gentle wash cycle, and add in gentle laundry detergent according to the load size on your machine.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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More serious collectors may prefer waddling to the local Cars & Coffee with an earlier VW, recalling a kinder, gentler, and far slower-paced time than our present age.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lenient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenient. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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