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
Maine, by contrast, has some of the most permissive fireworks laws in the country.
—
Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
Ohio was categorized in the group with the most permissive laws.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025
Children's deaths by both homicide and suicide also rose in states that had the most permissive firearm laws, the study found.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 11 June 2025
Idaho’s permissive yellow light law Idaho is among the majority of states with laws regarding yellow lights.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for permissive
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Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
Ohio was categorized in the group with the most permissive laws.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 21 June 2025
Children's deaths by both homicide and suicide also rose in states that had the most permissive firearm laws, the study found.
—Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 11 June 2025
Idaho’s permissive yellow light law Idaho is among the majority of states with laws regarding yellow lights.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for permissive
Cite this Entry
“Permissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permissive. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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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