lenient

/ˈliːni.ənt/adjective

Not harsh or strict; willing to tolerate mistakes or rule-breaking.

Example sentences

“The judge was lenient because it was a first offense.”
“My parents were more lenient with my younger sister than with me.”

Most often heard in courtrooms and classrooms: a lenient sentence, a lenient grader.

Synonyms for lenient

tolerant
forgiving
merciful
permissive
soft

Antonyms

strict
harsh
severe

Find it in: Words to describe a person.

Related words

laxNot careful or strict enough; careless about rules or standards.mercilessWithout any kindness or pity; harsh and cruel.litheSlender and flexible, moving with ease and grace.laconicUsing very few words when speaking or writing, often in a dry or unemotional way.loquaciousFond of talking a lot; very chatty.magnanimousKind and forgiving toward others, especially a defeated rival or someone weaker.