leniency

n., pl. -cies.

1. The condition or quality of being lenient. See synonyms at mercy.
2. A lenient act.

noun

1. Kind, forgiving, or compassionate treatment of or disposition toward others: charity, clemency, grace, lenience, lenity, mercifulness, mercy. See forgiveness/vindictiveness.
2. Forbearing or lenient treatment: charitableness, charity, forbearance, indulgence, lenience, lenity, tolerance, toleration. See accept/reject.

IN BRIEF: The state of not being strict.

That judge was not known for her leniency in sentencing.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 3 meanings:

Meaning #1: mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant
  Synonyms: lenience, mildness, lenity

Meaning #2: a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone
  Synonyms: indulgence, lenience

Meaning #3: lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers
  Synonym: lenience

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