le
nient
Comparative
more lenient
Superlative
most lenient
1
(of a person) tolerant, flexible, or relaxed in enforcing rules or standards, often forgiving and understanding toward others
- The lenient teacher allowed students extra time to complete assignments if they had valid reasons for delays.
- The lenient parent often overlooked minor misbehavior and preferred to guide their child with patience rather than harsh punishment.
- Despite the seriousness of the offense, the judge opted for a lenient sentence, considering the defendant's remorse and efforts towards rehabilitation.
- The lenient supervisor granted flexible work hours to employees who needed to balance personal responsibilities with their job duties.
- In contrast to his strict predecessor, the new manager took a lenient approach to employee tardiness, focusing more on productivity than punctuality.
2
allowing behavior without strict control
- They thought her too lenient with the children.
- His lenient style let the team set their own pace.
- She was lenient toward minor rule-breaking.
- The lenient attitude created discipline problems.
- Critics said the government was lenient in enforcing the law.
3
not strict or severe in standards, punishment, or conditions
- The court gave a lenient sentence.
- Regulations here are lenient compared to other countries.
- That was a lenient punishment for such a serious crime.
- The school's rules are lenient.
- The fine seemed lenient for the violation.