adjective

lenient

lenient, merciful, tolerant

The judge was lenient with the young offender.

The judge was lenient with the young offender.

Her parents were not very lenient.

Her parents were not very lenient.

((with sb.)) not strict or severe with (sb.) The judge was lenient with the young offender.

Synonyms: merciful, tolerant, forgiving; Antonyms: strict, severe

From Latin 'lenis' meaning 'soft, mild'.

Think of 'leaning' towards being easy on someone, hence being lenient.

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