Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pliantly

pliantly

5.1
In a way that bends easily and accepts changes without protest
  • adverb
  • /ˈplaɪəntli/
translation icon : flexiblemente
  • He follows them pliantly, until -- TITO

Examples

  • The rubber band stretched pliantly when pulled, easily returning to its original shape.

  • Natalie's shoes have thicker soles than his, but she smiles so gratefully, leans so pliantly against him that she could be clicking over the stones in the thinnest, highest heels.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The student accepted the feedback pliantly, showing a willingness to improve her work.

  • He pliantly adapted to the new schedule, showing flexibility in his routine.

Synonyms

flexibly
vspliantly
2 3.7

In a way that changes or adapts easily to different situations

focuses more on willingness to yield rather than neutral adaptability
bendingly
vspliantly
  • Archaic
7.2

In a willing way that accepts requests or advice

stresses being easily bent or shaped rather than simple compliance

Antonyms

stiffly
25 4.4

In a way that is not relaxed, often because of pain or to seem formal

How Flexible

compliantly
1 4.6
pliantly
5.1
flexibly
2 3.7

Surface Forms

pliantly positive
pliantlyer comparative
pliantlyest superlative

Morphology

pliantly = pliant (transparent) = pliant + ly

Formed by the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' added to the adjective 'pliant', yielding an adverb with the predictable meaning 'in a pliant way'.

Etymology

The word pliantly comes from an old Latin root plicare meaning 'to fold' or 'to bend', and you can see the same root in the word ply, as in one 'ply' of fabric or paper. So to act pliantly is to move or change 'easily', like a tree that bends in the wind instead of breaking.