leniency
noun
le·nien·cy
ˈlē-nē-ən(t)-sē 
-nyən(t)-sē
plural leniencies
1
: the quality or state of being lenient
the leniency of the punishment
2
: a lenient disposition or practice
The prisoner asked the judge for leniency.
Examples of leniency in a Sentence
the defense requested leniency in light of their client's lack of a prior criminal record
Recent Examples on the Web
Houlihan, whose case was prosecuted by the international Athletics Integrity Unit, received no such leniency and was forced to spend the prime of her career on the sideline.
—
CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate.
—Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
In regions where power supply is unreliable and household incomes are low, electricity theft is often viewed with more leniency compared to areas with higher incomes and better service reliability.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
That, along with Mayor Adams’s increasing ties to President Trump ahead of the move, led critics to argue that a quid pro quo occurred in which the Big Apple mayor would advocate for the administration’s immigration priorities in exchange for leniency in the case.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leniency
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CBS News, 23 Mar. 2025
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate.
—Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
In regions where power supply is unreliable and household incomes are low, electricity theft is often viewed with more leniency compared to areas with higher incomes and better service reliability.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
That, along with Mayor Adams’s increasing ties to President Trump ahead of the move, led critics to argue that a quid pro quo occurred in which the Big Apple mayor would advocate for the administration’s immigration priorities in exchange for leniency in the case.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leniency
Cite this Entry
“Leniency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leniency. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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leniency
noun
le·nien·cy
ˈlē-nē-ən-sē
-nyən-sē
: the quality or state of being lenient
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