pliant

10 synonyms and 4 antonyms for pliant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Able to bend easily without snapping.

Synonyms

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

plastic

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

elastic flexible

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

tensile ductile tractile bendable waxy pliable malleable

Able to bend easily without snapping.

elastic tensile ductile flexible tractile plastic bendable waxy pliable malleable

Opposites

stiff rigid

Easy to persuade or control.

Opposites

tenacious stubborn

Comes from Middle English pliaunt, from Old French ploiant, the present participle of ploiier (“to fold”).

plastic flexible stiff stubborn rigid elastic bendable malleable waxy pliable tenacious ductile