permissive

adjective

Definition of permissivenext
as in flexible
often disapproving giving people a lot of freedom or too much freedom to do what they want to do permissive parents Some states have more permissive laws than others.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of permissive Here agents were built to find software exploits and placed in flawed or deliberately permissive environments. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Operators instead would be instructed to follow local and state laws, which are often far more permissive. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 That means taking a more permissive attitude toward domestic oil and gas drilling — made more urgent by the US-Iran war — while continuing to support the rapid buildout of renewables. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 July 2026 What Business Leaders Need To Know Now For businesses that have spent years building around hemp, the debate has become less about permissive regulation and more about predictability. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
  1. flexible
  2. informal
  3. lenient
  4. accessible
  5. lax
  6. pliable
  7. pliant
Adjective
  • Thickness, though, is not always an option—optical films have to stay clear, protective layers on aircraft have to stay light and flexible, and the barriers on outdoor electronics are thin by design.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Soft loafers are also resonating for their lightweight, flexible construction and polished look without sacrificing comfort.
    — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of flexible
Adjective
  • Currently, informal waste pickers and scrap collectors make up a large portion of Vietnam’s collection system, so the new policy also will factor in that labor so that workers aren’t left behind.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Jeffries met privately with Kushner, a powerful but informal adviser to Trump, several weeks ago.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of informal
Adjective
  • Considered too lenient toward the Germans, Marie-Adelaide abdicated in January 1919 in favor of her sister, Charlotte.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The allegations against Tran have led to other murder convictions being overturned, dismissals and relatively lenient plea deals in other cases.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lenient
Adjective
  • The flash flood took place at Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on the bottom of the inner canyon in the park, a remote section only accessible by hiking, mule or rafting the Colorado River.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Simmons said the goal for every election should be to make voting convenient and accessible.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of accessible
Adjective
  • That fifth-place ranking was thanks to Texas’ lax COVID policies, which allowed the Rangers to sell more tickets.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Privacy advocates are particularly worried about long or lax retention periods that mean data is searchable for months or even years.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of lax
Adjective
  • Woven structures can combine several materials into forms that are soft, pliable and customizable, creating prospective applications in wearables, biomedical devices and aerospace.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Fazio wasn’t offering labor any leverage to make Lamont more generous or pliable.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pliable
Adjective
  • Fernández’s theory is that Mark must have told the women the code to his safe in his pliant stupor.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In many ways, Trump is at the height of his power, surrounded by pliant leaders and able to count on a cohesive group of followers.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
Definition of pliant

Browse Nearby Words

permissions
permissive
permissiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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