1. present participle of lenite; to make or become less harsh, severe, or strict; to soften or mitigate
Usage: formal or literary usage
2. present participle of lenite; in linguistics, to weaken or soften the articulation of a consonant sound
Usage: linguistics, phonetics

1. serving to lenite; having the quality of softening or mitigating
Usage: formal or literary usage

Examples

• The judge considered leniting factors before sentencing the defendant.
• A leniting tone in her voice helped calm the tense situation.
• In Irish, leniting consonants changes their pronunciation significantly.
• The medication works by leniting inflammation in the affected area.
• His apology was a leniting gesture that eased the conflict between them.
• Leniting circumstances may reduce criminal liability in some cases.