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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
Some of those challenges in the months ahead of Election Day failed, leaving in place permissive absentee voting and ballot counting laws in key swing states.
—
Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024
All parents show up as authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, or authoritative at different times, depending on the situation and on what’s unfolding in their own lives.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2024
Until at least about the mid-1940s, this more permissive culture created a more tolerant climate, at least seasonally, for LGBTQ people, especially those who were white.
—Julio Capó Jr. / Made By History, TIME, 6 Sep. 2024
Small celebrity minority stake sales are more common in other leagues, like MLS and NWSL, where ownership rules are often more permissive and minority stakes cost significantly less.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for permissive 
Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Nov. 2024
All parents show up as authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved, or authoritative at different times, depending on the situation and on what’s unfolding in their own lives.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 22 Sep. 2024
Until at least about the mid-1940s, this more permissive culture created a more tolerant climate, at least seasonally, for LGBTQ people, especially those who were white.
—Julio Capó Jr. / Made By History, TIME, 6 Sep. 2024
Small celebrity minority stake sales are more common in other leagues, like MLS and NWSL, where ownership rules are often more permissive and minority stakes cost significantly less.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for permissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for permissive
Adjective
-
This watch further established just how flexible this platform could be when working with unexpected materials.Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024
-
As tourism rebounds across the globe, properties in these areas can offer high returns with flexible rental terms and higher per-night rates, appealing to investors seeking quick profits.Johan Hajji, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
One notable trend is the rise of authentic, informal leadership communication.Feon Ang, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
-
The military activity occurred over 24 hours from Saturday to Sunday morning, with six aircraft crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line, an informal boundary between the two sides.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The optimism surrounding Trump's pro-crypto stance has energized the digital asset community, who anticipate more lenient regulations under his administration.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
-
While other cities across Europe and beyond are cracking down on Airbnb, Venice is being more lenient, hoping to persuade tourists to behave better rather than imposing restrictions.Julia Buckley, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Such incentives are accessible through both NASCAR.com and GOVX.com.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Despite the technical jargon, serverless computing is quite accessible to SMBs if approached correctly.Ken Pomella, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Medieval rabbinic discussions of the latter line underscore the divided thinking: one rabbi worries that converts will influence other Jews to become lax in their observance of God’s commandments; others fear that Jews will inevitably mistreat converts and suffer God’s punishment for it.Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
-
Jones built an audience by broadcasting false and conspiracy-laden comments on social media platforms with initially lax moderation policies, giving way to other far-right voices to follow suit.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature until pliable, about 10 minutes.Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024
-
Balsam firs are more pliable than other types of evergreen trees, which helps fit the tree through the door at the state Capitol, which is only 52 inches wide.Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near permissive
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/permissive. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share