Basic Details
Word: Leniency
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The quality of being more forgiving and less strict than usual.
Synonyms: Mercy, tolerance, forbearance
Antonyms: Harshness, severity, strictness
Idioms and Phrases
- Show leniency: To be forgiving or not to punish someone harshly. Example: "The teacher decided to show leniency towards the student who was late due to family issues."
- Leniency is a virtue: Being lenient can be a good quality when used wisely. Example: "In some situations, leniency is a virtue that helps people learn from their mistakes."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The judge decided to show leniency when sentencing the young offender, believing he could learn from his mistakes.
Example 2: In her role as a mentor, she often displayed leniency towards her students, allowing them to grow and improve.
Example 3: Although the rules were strict, the coach opted for leniency to encourage teamwork and cooperation among the players.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the concept of leniency dates back to ancient Rome, where judges were expected to show mercy and understanding in their rulings rather than being excessively harsh?
Famous Quote
"The weakest among us can show strength through leniency." - Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "leniency" mean?
a) Being very strict
b) The quality of being forgiving and less strict
c) A type of punishment
d) A legal term for jail
Answer: b) The quality of being forgiving and less strict
2. Which of these is a synonym of "leniency"?
a) Severity
b) Harshness
c) Mercy
d) Strictness
Answer: c) Mercy
3. Which sentence uses "leniency" correctly?
a) The leniency of the rules allowed for more creativity in the project.
b) The teacher showed leniency by giving everyone high marks for effort.
c) Leniency is known for being very strict about rules.
d) The leniency was felt by the animals in the zoo; they were all very happy with their cages.
Answer: b) The teacher showed leniency by giving everyone high marks for effort.
4. Which idiom means to be forgiving or not punish harshly?
a) Show leniency
b) An eye for an eye
c) Barking up the wrong tree
d) Kill two birds with one stone
Answer: a) Show leniency
5. What is the opposite of "leniency"?
a) Tolerance
b) Mercy
c) Severity
d) Forgiveness
Answer: c) Severity
