pliable
adjective
pli·able ˈplī-ə-bəl 
1
a
: supple enough to bend freely or repeatedly without breaking
b
: yielding readily to others : complaisant
2
: adjustable to varying conditions
pliability
ˌplī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun pliableness
ˈplī-ə-bəl-nəs
noun pliably
ˈplī-ə-blē
adverb 
Synonyms
- bendy [chiefly British]
- flexible
- limber
- lissome
- lissom
- lithe
- lithesome
- pliant
- supple
- willowy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Because the leather is pliable, it's easy to work with. She sometimes takes advantage of her pliable parents.
Recent Examples on the Web The texture was pliable enough to eat immediately, and neither too dense nor too airy. 
Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 29 Aug. 2022 Over the years, Kardashian’s image has been similarly pliable. M. J. Corey, The New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2022 The crust is thin but still pleasantly pliable and chewy, the tomato sauce is bright but not too sweet, and the melted cheese is dotted with those satisfying brown bubbles. Lauren Mcdowell, Chron, 14 July 2022 The top side of an elephant’s trunk is more pliable and can stretch 15 percent farther than the underside of the trunk, according to a new paper published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2022 To develop the new device, the researchers decided to place a pliable material between the skin and the transducers that send and receive the sound waves of the ultrasound. Edward Chen, STAT, 2 Aug. 2022 The relationship between Catherine and Peter is such a delicate but pliable soap bubble in season two. Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2022 The trick is turning wafer cookies and cake into pliable dough. Su-jit Lin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 Suspenders prove a surprisingly pliable dancing prop. Jake Coyle, ajc, 20 July 2022 See More
Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 29 Aug. 2022 Over the years, Kardashian’s image has been similarly pliable. M. J. Corey, The New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2022 The crust is thin but still pleasantly pliable and chewy, the tomato sauce is bright but not too sweet, and the melted cheese is dotted with those satisfying brown bubbles. Lauren Mcdowell, Chron, 14 July 2022 The top side of an elephant’s trunk is more pliable and can stretch 15 percent farther than the underside of the trunk, according to a new paper published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2022 To develop the new device, the researchers decided to place a pliable material between the skin and the transducers that send and receive the sound waves of the ultrasound. Edward Chen, STAT, 2 Aug. 2022 The relationship between Catherine and Peter is such a delicate but pliable soap bubble in season two. Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Aug. 2022 The trick is turning wafer cookies and cake into pliable dough. Su-jit Lin, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 Suspenders prove a surprisingly pliable dancing prop. Jake Coyle, ajc, 20 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, from plier "to fold, bend" + -able -able — more at ply entry 3
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
pliable
adjective
pli·able ˈplī-ə-bəl
1
: possible to bend without breaking
2
: easily influenced
a pliable teenager
pliability
noun
as in pliancy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pliancy
- suppleness
- adaptability
- ductility
- elasticity
- workability
- malleability
- plasticity
- pliableness
- limberness
- flexibility
- pliantness
- resilience
- workableness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rigidity
- stiffness
- inflexibility