Vocabulary in context
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Pliant
Easily bent or flexed; willing to yield or adapt to others' wishes or conditions.
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Imagine This
Imagine a slender reed that bends gracefully in the wind rather than snapping, and a negotiator who adapts plans smoothly to accommodate others’ needs.
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Sounds Like
PLA-yuhnt
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Looks Like
Similar in meaning to pliable, flexible, or malleable.
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Remember This
Pliant describes both physical flexibility and a willingness to adapt or comply; it shares the root plic- meaning to fold.
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Other Forms
pliabilitynoun
pliableadjective
pliablyadverb
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Connect With
flexible, adaptable, malleable, supple, compliant
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Note
Use pliant to describe someone or something that bends easily or is agreeable in a situation. It can carry a positive sense (flexibility) or a neutral to slightly negative nuance (too easily influenced) depending on context.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The metal remained pliant after heating, making it easy to shape into a new form.
- Her stance in negotiations was pliant, willing to adjust terms to reach a compromise.
Synonyms
flexiblepliablemalleableadaptablesupplecompliant
Antonyms
rigidinflexibleunyieldingstubborn
Etymology
From Middle French pliant meaning 'folded, bending' from Latin plicare 'to fold', with the suffix -ant forming an adjective.
Mnemonic
Think of pliers bending metal: pliant sounds like pli-ER-ANT, reminding you that something pliant is bendable and can be shaped easily.
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Altruistic
adjectiveShowing a selfless concern for the welfare of others; unselfishly generous.
Embrace
verbTo hold someone closely in your arms as a sign of affection; to welcome, accept, or adopt something (such as an idea, change, or opportunity) with enthusiasm.
Amass
verbTo gather or accumulate a large amount or number over time.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Compliant
adjectiveWilling to comply with rules, requests, or authority; ready to yield to others' wishes and conform to standards.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
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