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
  • Showing mercy to murderers historically has not been popular with voters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Take-Two would show CL no mercy —why should CL show any to them?
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • Johnson did not show leniency toward Gardner, whose guilty plea enabled him to avoid a trial that likely could have resulted in testimony from his underage victims.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile Reitzas asked the court for leniency by pointing out her career and advocacy work.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of leniency

Browse Nearby Words

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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