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pliable

Pliable (adjective) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

adjective

IPA:

/ˈplʌɪəb(ə)l/

What does pliable mean?

Easily bent, molded, or shaped without breaking or losing its form.
"The company's management found the new workers to be pliable and easy to control."

Detailed Meaning of Pliable

When a material or object is described as pliable, it implies that it is flexible and adaptable, capable of being manipulated or changed to suit a particular purpose or need. This term is often applied to physical materials like clay or rubber that can be molded by hand, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe individuals or personalities that are open to change or influence, willing to adapt to different situations or viewpoints. "Pliable" emphasizes the quality of being easily manageable, yielding, or responsive to external forces or circumstances, whether in a physical or figurative sense.

Example Sentences for Pliable

1. She was a pliable young girl, easily swayed by her peers.
2. The politician was known for being pliable, always bending to the will of others.
3. He proved to be a pliable employee, always following instructions without question.
4. The cult leader sought out pliable individuals to manipulate and control.
5. The manager preferred hiring pliable workers who wouldn't challenge authority.
6. She realized she had been too pliable, allowing others to dictate her life choices.

Origin and Etymology of Pliable

The adjective 'pliable' traces its origins to the Latin word 'pliabilis,' which is derived from 'pliare,' meaning 'to bend' or 'to fold.' In Latin, 'pliabilis' described objects or materials that could be bent or molded without breaking, making them flexible and adaptable. In English, 'pliable' was adopted in the 15th century to describe things that are easily bent, molded, or shaped without losing their form or structure. The etymology of 'pliable' underscores its historical connection to the notion of bending or folding, emphasizing the quality of flexibility and adaptability, whether in reference to physical materials or metaphorical characteristics.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective pliable:

flexible

stiff

unyielding

rigid

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Pliable

1. The company CEO surrounded himself with pliable executives who would unquestioningly carry out his orders.
2. The salesman targeted pliable customers who could be easily convinced to make a purchase.
3. He saw her as a pliable romantic partner, someone he could mold according to his desires.
4. The teacher exploited the pliable nature of her students, shaping their opinions and beliefs.
5. The influencer preyed on pliable followers, shaping their tastes and preferences.
6. She had been raised in a pliable environment, always deferring to the wishes of her parents.
7. The authoritarian regime sought to create a pliable society through strict control and manipulation.
8. The cult's leader sought to break down individuality and create a pliable collective.
9. The manager's pliable leadership style resulted in a lack of innovation and independent thinking.
10. The pliable employee never voiced her own ideas, always adopting the opinions of others.
11. The politician's pliable stance on issues made it difficult to trust his convictions.
12. The pliable nature of the organization allowed corruption to thrive without resistance.
13. The pliable nature of the public made it easy for misinformation to spread unchecked.
14. The pliable nature of the relationship became apparent as one partner continuously yielded to the other's demands.