Meaning & use
leniency
Last updated
The quality of being merciful or not strict when punishing someone.
See it in a sentence
The judge showed leniency toward the first-time offender.
Her boss's leniency about deadlines made the office feel less stressful.
A note on using this word
Often used in legal contexts, as in 'a plea for leniency,' but applies to any situation involving relaxed enforcement of rules.
Words with a similar meaning
mercyclemency
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
severitystrictness
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