leniency
Gentleness in judgment
Leniency is mercy or mildness in judgment, especially when strictness or severity might be justified.
A judge shows leniency by imposing a lighter sentence; a parent shows leniency by overlooking minor infractions.
The prosecutor recommended leniency given her cooperation with the investigation.
The word implies deliberate restraint—choosing not to punish as harshly as one could.
Merciful treatment of offenders
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- mitigationReduction of severity
probation · parole · amnesty · commutation · reprieve · mercy · reduced sentence · plea bargain
Compassion toward offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
forgiveness · remission · condonation · reprieve · charity · magnanimity · second chance · overlooking
Gentle, moderate quality
- softnessYielding to gentle pressure
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- patienceCalm during delays
forbearance · understanding · restraint · moderation · temperance · delicacy · consideration · tact
Willingness to accept difference
- laxityLack of strictness
- loosenessState of not tight
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- leewayPermissible margin of freedom
slack · relaxation · indulgence · allowance · flexibility · broad-mindedness · open-mindedness · liberality
Causing ruin or decay
- pamperingLavish attentive care
- coddlingOverindulgent, protective treatment
- overindulgenceExcessive consumption or enjoyment
- permittingGiving consent or authorization
favors · concessions · liberality · special treatment · exceptions · easiness · generosity · privileges
clemency
Merciful treatment of offenders
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
mitigation · probation · parole · amnesty · commutation · reprieve · mercy · reduced sentence · plea bargain · suspended sentence
mercy
Compassion toward offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
absolution · forgiveness · remission · condonation · reprieve · charity · magnanimity · second chance · overlooking · exculpation
mildness
Gentle, moderate quality
- softnessYielding to gentle pressure
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
patience · forbearance · understanding · restraint · moderation · temperance · delicacy · consideration · tact · compassion
tolerance
Willingness to accept difference
leeway · slack · relaxation · indulgence · allowance · flexibility · broad-mindedness · open-mindedness · liberality · free rein
spoiling
Causing ruin or decay
- pamperingLavish attentive care
- coddlingOverindulgent, protective treatment
- overindulgenceExcessive consumption or enjoyment
permitting · favors · concessions · liberality · special treatment · exceptions · easiness · generosity · privileges · mollycoddling
- Halakhic Rulingsdecision, legal opinion, chumra, stringency, permission
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
- mercyclemency, compassion, forgiveness, pardon, pity
- moderationmoderation, in moderation, restraint, self-control, moderately
- tolerancetolerance, forbearance, patience, understanding, empathy
- clemencypardon, amnesty, clemency, reprieve, commutation
leniencyseverity
Intensity of sternness
harshness · strictness · sternness · punitiveness · rigor
leniencystrictness
Inflexibility in enforcement
rigidity · stringency · inflexibility · rigor · exactingness
leniencyvindictiveness
Disposition toward retaliation
vengeance · malice · retaliation · retribution · spite