lenient

/ˈliːniənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈliːniənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlē-nē-ənt -nyənt/ (ame, mw)

lenient — adjective

  • lenientpositive
  • more lenientcomparative
  • most lenientsuperlative

1. A lenient person, rule, or punishment is more gentle and forgiving than is usual

1.形容詞B2
釋義

A lenient person, rule, or punishment is more gentle and forgiving than is usual or expected — for example, a judge who gives a light sentence, or a teacher who does not enforce strict discipline.

例句

Judge Okafor gave a lenient sentence to the teenager who stole a car on a dare.

collocation: lenient sentence

The kindergarten teacher was too lenient with children who refused to lie down for a nap.

pattern: be lenient with [someone]

同義詞
  • forgiving

    Focuses on willingness to pardon past wrongdoing; more relational than lenient

  • tolerant

    Broader meaning — accepting differing opinions or behaviours, not limited to punishment

  • indulgent

    Suggests giving in to wishes or desires, sometimes to an excessive degree

  • soft

    Informal; can carry a negative tone implying weakness rather than generosity

反義詞
  • strict

    Firmly enforces rules with little flexibility

  • harsh

    Unpleasantly severe or cruel, with a stronger negative connotation than strict

用法筆記

Often followed by with + [person or group being treated gently]: 'be lenient with someone'. The preposition about refers to the rule or standard itself: 'be lenient about deadlines'. Can also be used directly before nouns such as sentence, judge, or rules.

常見錯誤

❌My parents are lenient for my grades.
✅My parents are lenient about my grades.
💡lenient about is used for a rule or standard; lenient with is used for a person.
❌The manager was very lenient to the new worker.
✅The manager was very lenient with the new worker.
💡the correct preposition is with, not to, when referring to how someone treats another person.