lenience

noun

ˈlē-nyən(t)s How to pronounce lenience (audio)
Definition of leniencenext
as in mercy
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it a judge's reputation for lenience towards first-time criminals

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lenience Trump said similar lenience would be extended to hotel and leisure industries. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 5 July 2025 Dunn famously forgave his attacker, asking for lenience at his federal trial. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025 Conservative applicants also voiced concern about liberal LGBTQ laws and lenience on crime. — Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024 Experts say this level of lenience can lead to rebellion, risk-prone temperament, and unhealthy habits. — Zara Hanawalt, Parents, 29 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for lenience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenience
  1. mercy
  2. leniency
Noun
  • The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Daemon, on Ceraxes, tracks down his daughter on Sheepstealer and pleads with her again to remain hidden or avail herself of Rhaenyra’s mercy.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • This year, those leniencies — and big differences in rules from district to district — won’t exist.
    — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026
  • His guilty plea came with no agreement from the state to agree to leniency.
    — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of leniency

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lengthy
lenience
leniency
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Cite this Entry

“Lenience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenience. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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