permissive

adjective

Definition of permissivenext
as in flexible
often disapproving giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do permissive parents Some states have more permissive laws than others.

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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 permissive Meanwhile, San Diego for years was on the cutting edge of facilitating construction of accessory dwelling units or ADUs, enacting perhaps the most permissive rules in California. — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2026 Their rare testimonies, backed by aid and conflict data, depict permissive rules of engagement, rising Palestinian deaths — including children — and commanders signaling Israel is entrenching, not winding down, its Gaza campaign. — Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026 The revenues from the $1,500 permits have been a boon for Rwanda, but have also pushed travelers into less expensive, more permissive markets such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. — Adam Erace, Fortune, 24 May 2026 The Swedish Film Institute’s Cinemateket, meanwhile, hosted Svenska Synden – a retrospective examining how Swedish cinema’s permissive approach to nudity and sexuality became an international phenomenon that alarmed censors around the world. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
  1. flexible
  2. informal
  3. lenient
  4. accessible
  5. lax
Adjective
  • One degree with flexible hours for mid-level professionals is now under the new limits.
    — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The aim is to create digital assets that are flexible enough to be used over and over in lots of different ways, whether in movies, video games, advertising, or interactive projects.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026
Definition of flexible
Adjective
  • Authorities are also investigating the death of a Malawian man after he was allegedly killed by a mob at an informal settlement in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near Durban.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • It is joined by an adjoining family room and informal dining area.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 June 2026
Definition of informal
Adjective
  • There was a credible argument for being more lenient, but also one for dismissing the striker.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • One of the features of this World Cup has been the desire of FIFA officials, under the direction of former World Cup final referee Pierluigi Collina, to be lenient in games and allow matches to flow without excessive disruption.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of lenient
Adjective
  • The research behind scent training for dogs A growing body of evidence suggests that scent work is one of the most effective and accessible forms of enrichment available for anxious dogs.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
  • Accessibility and Sustainability Accessibility seemed to me a priority of the hotel, which has three ADA rooms and features accessible elevators, wheelchair-friendly halls and restaurant entries, and a handicap lift for the pool.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of accessible
Adjective
  • Several months earlier, county auditors identified lax accounting procedures that resulted in LAHSA’s failure to pay its contractors on time.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • While not every instance is this costly, the fact remains that many companies incur some kind of additional cost due to unnecessary spend, lax budget enforcement, supply irregularities and the like.
    — Andrew Zhyvolovych, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of lax

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permissions
permissive
permissiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on permissive

Nglish: Translation of permissive for Spanish Speakers

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