supple

Examples

• All

• Because scientific understandings are (by definition) constantly changing, the law's rules about the admissibility of scientific evidence must be supple enough to accommodate those changes.

  Academic text (1996)

• By the final week of the semester, he loathed going to class, all his classes, and his dread undermined his teaching, which became less imaginative, supple, and responsive.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Because of the supple nature of the creative music strategy, the possibilities are endless.

  Academic text (2011)

• Usually, Dobey drives, eyes on the road, listening with a supple, restless attention.

  Fiction book (1998)

• For all his rigid upbringing, David proves to be a keen observer with a supple mind.

  Academic text (2009)

• Her language is exact, supple, and rhythmical as it moves with swooping assurance from dialogue to commentary to description.

  Academic text (2000)

• The thing is to stalk your calling in a certain skilled and supple way, to locate the most tender and live spot and plug into that pulse.

  Fiction book (1998)

• It requires a supple intellect and experience to perform library research well, and this is actually librarianship's "intellectual cachet."

  Academic text (2008)

• Even as a child, she demonstrated a supple mind, easily grasping new concepts and ideas.

• In yoga, practicing regularly helps keep your body supple and ready for any challenge.

Synonyms

F

flexible

vssupple

155 3.4

Able to change or be changed to fit different situations

is about ready adaptability rather than just willingness to change

P

pliable

vssupple

8 4.2

Easy to bend or shape

is mental flexibility without the physical bending sense

E

elastic

vssupple

7 3.4

Able to change easily and deal with new situations

is similar but stresses a natural, flowing ease in adapting

P

pliant

vssupple

1 6.5

Willing to change ideas or plans to fit a situation

is adaptable without implying undue influence or weakness

L

limber

vssupple

1 4.7

Able to adapt easily to new ideas and situations

is about readiness to adapt with smooth, graceful change

Antonyms

I

inflexible

11 4.7

Not willing to change or accept other ideas

Compounds

S

supple skin

1 3.2

Soft, flexible skin that looks healthy

S

supple willow

5.1

A tree with long flexible branches used for weaving baskets

How Adaptable

versatile

55 6.3

supple

3 4.4

adaptable

23 3.4

inflexible

11 4.7

Surface Forms

Etymology