leniency

[ lee-nee-uh n-see, leen-yuh n- ]

/ ˈli ni ən si, ˈlin yən- /

the quality or state of being lenient.

a lenient act.

Also le·ni·ence.

Origin of leniency

First recorded in 1770–80; leni(ent) + -ency

The governor of Punjab province, a Muslim man, called publicly for leniency for her.

In Defense of Blasphemy |Michael Tomasky |January 9, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
The self-declared caliphate is targeting its leniency, such as it is, along strictly sectarian lines.

The Terrorist Caliph as Nation Builder in Iraq, Syria, and Beyond |Jamie Dettmer |July 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But as elections approach, the Russian authorities are unlikely to show a sense of humor or leniency toward the renegade artists.

Russian Artists Mock Putin |Anna Nemtsova |August 4, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Now other defendants are using his case as a springboard to plead for leniency.

A New Defense for Pedophiles |Conchita Sarnoff |August 18, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Why would hardened soldiers, quite willing to commit a suicide bombing, politely exchange information for leniency?

You Can't Bargain With Terrorists |Gerald L. Shargel |January 4, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
It was with difficulty that some public men moved him to leniency.

The Inside Story Of The Peace Conference |Emile Joseph Dillon
The men realized now, in their half-sober senses, that the Kid was only wounded, and this inclined them to leniency toward Curly.

The Golden Woman |Ridgwell Cullum
The mild punishments that their naughtiness or disobedience brings down upon them invariably err on the side of leniency.

The Historical Child |Oscar Chrisman
And this leniency and forgiveness were the more remarkable, since he was not demonstrative in his affections and friendships.

Beacon Lights of History, Volume XII |John Lord
Leniency has been tried without success, and it is now necessary to show him that the law will not be braved with impunity.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 374, December, 1846 |Various