Meaning & use

permissive

adjective·Academic

Allowing a great deal of freedom, especially in behavior that others might restrict.

See it in a sentence

Their permissive parenting style let the children set their own bedtimes.

Critics called the new policy too permissive, since it barely regulated online advertising.

A note on using this word

Permissive often carries a mildly critical tone, suggesting a lack of necessary discipline or control.

Words with a similar meaning

lenientlax

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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