pliant

[ plahy-uhnt ]
/ ˈplaɪ ənt /

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM pliant

Words nearby pliant

Example sentences from the Web for pliant

British Dictionary definitions for pliant

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