permissive

/pərˈmɪsɪv/

/pəˈmɪsɪv/

Being permissive is the opposite of being strict. Permissive parents let their kids stay up later and have more sweets.

A permissive person is a little more lenient or loosey-goosey with the rules. A permissive teacher is easier on the students and lets them get away with more. A permissive coach will cut players slack during practices and games. Laws can be permissive too — about drugs, guns, and other things that could be tightly controlled. A permissive society is one with more freedom. When a situation is permissive, there's permission to do more things.

Definitions of permissive

1. adjective

   granting or inclined or able to grant permission; not strict in discipline
   “direct primary legislation is largely permissive rather than prescriptive”

   “permissive parents”

   synonyms:

   indulgent, lenient, soft

   tolerant or lenient

   antonyms:

   unpermissive

   not inclined to grant permission; severe in discipline
2. adjective

   not preventive
   synonyms:

   bailable

   admitting of bail

   antonyms:

   preventive

   tending to prevent or hinder

   blockading

   blocking entrance to and exit from seaports and harbors

   clogging, hindering, impeding, obstructive

   preventing movement

   deterrent

   tending to deter

   frustrating, frustrative, thwarting

   preventing realization or attainment of a desire

   precautional, precautionary

   taken in advance to protect against possible danger or failure

   obviating, preclusive

   made impossible

   pre-emptive, preemptive

   designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence

   prohibitive, prohibitory

   tending to discourage (especially of prices)

   protective

   intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind