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.

Synonyms of leniency

• mercy
• mercifulness

Choose the Right Synonym for leniency

mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion.

mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive 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

Graves’s letter asked for leniency from the court as DeValkenaere was beginning his appeal. —Ben Wheeler april 29, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026

As written, the chatbot bill would give too much leniency to tech companies, Montoya said. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026

But clarity, Pleffken stresses, isn’t the same as leniency. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026

After all, the bankruptcy code is a technically demanding area of federal law, and courts extend little leniency to filers who make procedural mistakes. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for leniency

• conveniency

Kids Definition

leniency

noun

le·​nien·​cy ˈlē-nē-ən-sē 

-nyən-sē

: the quality or state of being lenient