What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indulgent
Example
The mother was indulgent towards her child's every whim. [indulgent: adjective]
Example
I had an indulgent massage at the spa yesterday. [indulgent: adjective]
lenient
Example
The teacher was lenient with the student who turned in their assignment late. [lenient: adjective]
Example
The judge gave a lenient sentence to the first-time offender. [lenient: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lenient is more commonly used than indulgent in everyday language. Lenient is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indulgent is less common and refers to a specific type of behavior or experience.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indulgent and lenient?
Both indulgent and lenient can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but lenient is more commonly used in formal settings, such as legal or academic contexts.
