lenient
LEE-nee-untadjMeaning merciful; less strict or harsh than expected
Memory hook LEAN-IENT: the judge LEANS toward mercy. The judge leans down, smiles at the nervous boy who broke a window, and says, “Just fix it and say sorry.” She is lenient.
The lenient referee let the little kids redo their throw-ins.
In context Most judges would have fined the young driver heavily, but this one was lenient: she let him off with a warning and a safety class.
Similar merciful, forgiving, easygoing, tolerant
Opposite strict, harsh, stern
From Latin leniens, “softening,” from lenire, “to soften, soothe,” from lenis (soft, mild).