PLIANT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does pliant mean? 

• PLIANT (adjective)
  The adjective PLIANT has 4 senses:

1. capable of being influenced or formed

2. capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out

3. able to adjust readily to different conditions

4. capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking

  Familiarity information: PLIANT used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLIANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of being influenced or formed

Synonyms:

plastic; pliant

Context example:

a pliant nature

Similar:

impressible; impressionable; waxy (easily impressed or influenced)

Derivation:

pliancy; pliantness (adaptability of mind or character)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out

Synonyms:

ductile; malleable; pliable; pliant; tensile; tractile

Context example:

made of highly tensile steel alloy

Similar:

formed (having or given a form or shape)

Derivation:

pliancy; pliantness (the property of being pliant and flexible)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Able to adjust readily to different conditions

Synonyms:

elastic; flexible; pliable; pliant

Context example:

an elastic clause in a contract

Similar:

adaptable (capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use)

Derivation:

pliancy; pliantness (adaptability of mind or character)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking

Synonyms:

bendable; pliable; pliant; waxy

Context example:

a pliant young tree

Similar:

flexible; flexile (able to flex; able to bend easily)

Derivation:

pliancy; pliantness (the property of being pliant and flexible)

 Context examples 

I could resist St. John's wrath: I grew pliant as a reed under his kindness.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Negore watched the supple body, bending at the hips as a lynx's body might bend, pliant as a young willow stalk, and, withal, strong as only youth is strong.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Someone that I know, Trot, my aunt pursued, after a pause, though of a very pliant disposition, has an earnestness of affection in him that reminds me of poor Baby.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He had not a pliant face, he had rather a stiff neck, rather a tight smooth head with short hair clinging to it at the sides, a soft way of speaking, with a peculiar habit of whispering the letter S so distinctly, that he seemed to use it oftener than any other man; but every peculiarity that he had he made respectable.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I knew as well, when I saw my mother's head lean down upon his shoulder, and her arm touch his neck—I knew as well that he could mould her pliant nature into any form he chose, as I know, now, that he did it.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)