pliant
pliant — adjective
- pliantpositive
- more pliantcomparative
- most pliantsuperlative
1. describes someone whose opinions or decisions change easily because of what othe
describes someone whose opinions or decisions change easily because of what other people say or want, often because they lack strong personal convictions.
Lakan was too pliant and agreed to every suggestion his teammates made.
adverb + pliant: too pliant
The manager worried that her pliant assistant would say yes to any unreasonable request.
Critics described the young politician as pliant and easy to manipulate.
Devika's pliant nature made her a target for dishonest salespeople.
Rachid refused to be pliant and stood by his original plan despite the pressure.
- compliant
focuses on obeying rules or orders; more neutral and behaviour-focused than pliant
- docile
suggests a quiet, submissive nature; often used for animals or children
- malleable
metaphor from metalworking, suggests being shaped by surroundings or people
- submissive
stronger negative tone, implies willingly accepting others' authority over oneself
- stubborn
refuses to change opinions or actions despite pressure
- strong-willed
holds firmly to personal beliefs and decisions
用法筆記
Typically carries a disapproving tone — pliant in this sense describes a person as weak-willed rather than helpfully cooperative. The subject is usually a person or a group of people.
常見錯誤
2. describes a person, organization, or system that adapts smoothly to new circumst
describes a person, organization, or system that adapts smoothly to new circumstances, ideas, or methods without resistance.
The company values pliant employees who can adjust quickly to new market conditions.
pattern: pliant + noun (employees)
Greta's pliant attitude toward new teaching methods made her students' experience richer.
collocation: pliant attitude toward [something]
Tara was relieved that her employer's pliant policies allowed her to install the new design software she preferred.
Jin's pliant approach to his career helped him move between industries smoothly.
Nellie's pliant teaching style helped her seventh-graders adjust quickly when the school switched to group projects.
- flexible
more common and broader; can refer to time, rules, materials, or attitudes
- adaptable
focuses on the ability to change behaviour to fit new situations
- open-minded
emphasises willingness to consider new ideas rather than actual change
- rigid
unwilling or unable to change established methods or ideas
- inflexible
refuses to adapt to new conditions or suggestions
用法筆記
Often used in business or organizational contexts to describe policies, people, or systems that respond well to change. In this sense pliant suggests a positive capacity for adaptation, unlike sense 1 which carries a negative evaluation.
常見錯誤
3. describes a material that can be bent, folded, or twisted into different shapes
describes a material that can be bent, folded, or twisted into different shapes without cracking, snapping, or suffering permanent damage.
The craftsman chose pliant willow branches to weave the basket.
collocation: pliant + natural material (willow branches)
Nora soaked the bamboo until it became pliant enough to bend into a circle.
pattern: become + pliant
Modern running shoes use pliant soles that move naturally with the foot.
Beatriz used a pliant metal strip to shape the sculpture's curved edges.
The young tree's branches were still pliant and did not snap in the wind.
用法筆記
Typically used for natural materials such as wood, branches, or leather, and for specially designed products such as soles or wires. Not used for abstract concepts such as rules or schedules.