permissive
adjective
per·mis·sive
pər-ˈmi-siv 
1
archaic
: granted on sufferance : tolerated
2
a
: granting or tending to grant permission : tolerant
3
: allowing discretion : optional
reduced the permissive retirement age from 65 to 62
4
: supporting growth or genetic replication (as of a virus)
permissive host cells
permissively
adverb
permissiveness
noun
Examples of permissive in a Sentence
Some states have more permissive laws than others.
Recent Examples on the Web
Geographical proximity, permissive visa regimes, and the strict asylum policies of democratic governments often funnel dissidents fleeing an authoritarian regime into places controlled by other nondemocratic governments.
—
Yana Gorokhovskaia, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2022
There are lower barriers to entry, particularly in sports like soccer, with more permissive rules regarding size of stake, voting power, marketing capabilities, and deal structure.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 20 June 2024
Biden administration officials have stressed that any enduring immigration policy changes would have to come from Congress, but critics have said the president’s more permissive policies have encouraged people to make the trek to the border and attempt to cross illegally.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 18 June 2024
Accessory dwelling units are multiplying across California, boosted by permissive state laws that aim to increase the supply of affordable housing.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for permissive 
Yana Gorokhovskaia, Foreign Affairs, 2 June 2022
There are lower barriers to entry, particularly in sports like soccer, with more permissive rules regarding size of stake, voting power, marketing capabilities, and deal structure.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 20 June 2024
Biden administration officials have stressed that any enduring immigration policy changes would have to come from Congress, but critics have said the president’s more permissive policies have encouraged people to make the trek to the border and attempt to cross illegally.
—Cleve R. Wootson Jr., Washington Post, 18 June 2024
Accessory dwelling units are multiplying across California, boosted by permissive state laws that aim to increase the supply of affordable housing.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for permissive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'permissive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near permissive
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permissive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
permissive
adjective
per·mis·sive
pər-ˈmis-iv
permissively
adverb
permissiveness
noun
Medical Definition
permissive
adjective
per·mis·sive
pər-ˈmis-iv
: supporting growth or genetic replication (as of a virus)
permissive temperatures
permissive monkey cells
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