Standard Lemma guide

lenience

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈliːni.ən(t)s/
  • especially: /ˈliːnjən(t)s/ in rapid speech
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Leniency: mercy or forgiveness in the assignment of punishment.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • There was lenience in the sentence given by the court, and he got the minimum prison time.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: leniency

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: tolerance

Narrower terms: clemency, mercifulness, mercy

3

noun

Meaning 3

a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • too much indulgence spoils a child

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: indulgence, leniency

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: permissiveness, tolerance

Narrower terms: softness

4

noun

Meaning 4

mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: leniency, mildness, lenity

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: mercifulness, mercy

History

Etymology

From Latin lēn(iō) (“to soften, soothe”) -i- + -ence, from lēnis (“soft”).