pliable
10 synonyms and 5 antonyms for pliable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Easily bent or shaped without breaking.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Easily bent or shaped without breaking.
“Warm the clay slightly to make it more pliable.”
Opposites
2. adj
Easily influenced or persuaded.
“He was a pliable negotiator who gave in at the first sign of pressure.”
Opposites
Etymology
From Old French ploiable, from ploiier ("to fold") — related to the word "ply."
Full origin of pliable →Frequently asked questions
What does “pliable” mean?
The word “pliable” means easily bent or shaped without breaking. In plain terms, bendable, either physically (like soft material) or in terms of someone's willingness to be swayed.
How do you pronounce “pliable”?
“Pliable” is pronounced PLEYE-uh-buhl (/ˈplaɪəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pliable” in a sentence?
Here is “pliable” used in a sentence: “Warm the clay slightly to make it more pliable.”
What part of speech is “pliable”?
“Pliable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “pliable” come from?
The word “pliable” comes from Old French. From Old French ploiable, from ploiier ("to fold") — related to the word "ply.".
How many meanings does “pliable” have?
“Pliable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: easily bent or shaped without breaking.
