pliant

[ plahy-uhnt ]
/ ˈplaɪ ənt /
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adjective

bending readily; flexible; supple; adaptable: She manipulated the pliant clay.
easily influenced; yielding to others; compliant: He has a pliant nature.

Origin of pliant

1300–50; Middle English < Old French, present participle of plier to ply2; see -ant

SYNONYMS FOR pliant

1, 2 pliable, flexile. See flexible.
2 manageable, tractable, docile.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR pliant ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM pliant

Words nearby pliant

pleyel, plf, plf., pli, pliable, pliant, plica, plicate, plication, plicotomy, plier

Words related to pliancy

resiliency, pliability, affability, plasticity, give, spring, compliance, elasticity, bounce, complaisance, suppleness, tractability, springiness, malleability, ductility, resilience, docility, flaccidity, adjustability, extensibility

Example sentences from the Web for pliancy

British Dictionary definitions for pliancy

pliant
/ (ˈplaɪənt) /

adjective

easily bent; supple a pliant young tree
easily modified; adaptable; flexible a pliant system
yielding readily to influence; compliant

Derived forms of pliant

pliancy or pliantness, noun pliantly, adverb

Word Origin for pliant

C14: from Old French, from plier to fold, bend; see ply ²