noun

leniency

LEE-nee-uhn-see

noun

Mercy or a light touch when it comes to punishing someone.

"The judge showed leniency because it was the defendant's first offence."

"His employer's leniency meant he kept his job despite the mistake."

How to Use Leniency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGoing easy on someone rather than punishing them fully.

Common pairings

show leniency plead for leniency judicial leniency

leniencies plural

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The judge showed _____ because it was the defendant's first offence.

From Latin lenis, "soft, gentle" — the same root behind "lenient."

agency urgency potency decency regency currency tendency clemency frequency emergency residency indecency