LENIENCE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

lenience

noun

ˈlē-nyən(t)s

Definition of lenience

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

Noun

But there’s gotta be a better way to do this than leave people to the mercies of the market when the market has no mercy.

— John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
Showing mercy to murderers historically has not been popular with voters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of mercy

Noun

Ahead of Frost’s Monday sentencing after his guilty plea to wire fraud, a flood of family members and supporters submitted about 80 letters to the court in a bid for leniency.

— Kelly Yamanouchi, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Streaming services have often turned a blind eye to account sharing during their growth periods, only to walk back the leniency once viewers are hooked.

— Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of leniency

Browse Nearby Words

lengthy

lenience

leniency

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“Lenience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenience. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lenience

noun

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