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
- charity
- clemency
- forbearance
- lenience
- lenity
- mercifulness
- mercy
- quarter
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the defense requested leniency in light of their client's lack of a prior criminal record
Recent Examples on the Web Griner and her lawyers pleaded for leniency, but everyone knew better than to hope for it. 
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 Alkonis's case has attracted bipartisan support, with Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike petitioning Tokyo for leniency. Andrew Jeong, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 Kessler urged the jury to consider the testimony of Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin — the two codefendants who pleaded guilty early on and agreed to testify against the others at trial in exchange for leniency. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 23 Aug. 2022 While prosecutors are busy gathering victim statements to make a case for lengthy periods of incarceration, the defendants are doing their own legwork in a bid for leniency, according to criminal defense attorney Seth Kretzer. Joel Rosenblatt, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 When the case went to trial, Arillotta and Frankie Roche, another killer recruited by Geas, rolled over, testifying in exchange for leniency that Geas set up and took part in the hit. Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2022 She was sentenced on Aug. 4 to 9 years in Russian prison after being found guilty of drug possession and smuggling, after making an emotional final plea for leniency. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2022 Griner asked the court for leniency but was sentenced last Thursday to 9 1/2 years in prison. Robyn Dixon, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Aug. 2022 Griner’s plea to the court for leniency fell on deaf ears, and she was sentenced to nine years’ prison in a Russian court last Thursday. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 Alkonis's case has attracted bipartisan support, with Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike petitioning Tokyo for leniency. Andrew Jeong, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 Kessler urged the jury to consider the testimony of Kaleb Franks and Ty Garbin — the two codefendants who pleaded guilty early on and agreed to testify against the others at trial in exchange for leniency. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 23 Aug. 2022 While prosecutors are busy gathering victim statements to make a case for lengthy periods of incarceration, the defendants are doing their own legwork in a bid for leniency, according to criminal defense attorney Seth Kretzer. Joel Rosenblatt, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 When the case went to trial, Arillotta and Frankie Roche, another killer recruited by Geas, rolled over, testifying in exchange for leniency that Geas set up and took part in the hit. Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2022 She was sentenced on Aug. 4 to 9 years in Russian prison after being found guilty of drug possession and smuggling, after making an emotional final plea for leniency. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2022 Griner asked the court for leniency but was sentenced last Thursday to 9 1/2 years in prison. Robyn Dixon, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Aug. 2022 Griner’s plea to the court for leniency fell on deaf ears, and she was sentenced to nine years’ prison in a Russian court last Thursday. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1753, in the meaning defined at sense 2
leniency
noun
as in mercy
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it the defense requested leniency in light of their client's lack of a prior criminal record Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mercy
- mercifulness
- empathy
- clemency
- lenience
- sympathy
- compassion
- forbearance
- kindness
- grace
- lenity
- charity
- tenderness
- goodness
- pity
- generosity
- quarter
- understanding
- love
- affection
- humanitarianism
- gentleness
- goodwill
- softness
- philanthropy
- meekness
- magnanimity
- benevolence
- altruism
- favor
- nobility
- humaneness
- worship
- kindliness
- devotion
- mildness
- niceness
- care
- commiseration
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- revenge
- punishment
- retribution
- ruthlessness
- retaliation
- vengeance
- mercilessness
- cruelty
- vindictiveness
- violence
- pitilessness
- discipline
- brutality
- uncharitableness
- reprisal
- virulence
- scolding
- sadism
- barbarity
- savagery
- requital
- hatred
- chastisement
- viciousness
- spite
- castigation
- vitriol
- venom
- savageness
- truculence
- atrocity
- hostility
- wantonness
- malice
- abhorrence
- hate
- hard-heartedness
- malevolence
- animosity
- antagonism
- jealousy
- loathing
- meanness
- detestation
- enmity
- malignancy
- maliciousness
- resentment
- spitefulness
- abomination
- antipathy
- malignity
- bitterness
- spleen
- grudge
- nastiness
- execration
- harshness
- roughness
- gall
- hardness
- rancor
- pique
- jaundice
- bile
- invidiousness
- hatefulness
- coarseness
- cattiness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of leniency are charity, clemency, grace, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.
criticized the courts for excessive leniency
The synonyms charity and leniency are sometimes interchangeable, but charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.
show a little charity for the less fortunate
While in some cases nearly identical to leniency, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.
the judge refused to show clemency
While the synonyms grace and leniency are close in meaning, grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.
by the grace of God
The meanings of mercy and leniency largely overlap; however, mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.
threw himself on the mercy of the court