rule of lenity

noun

A common law rule according to which an ambiguous criminal law should be interpreted in the way most favorable to the defendant.

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Meanings

noun
  1. lawA common law rule according to which an ambiguous criminal law should be interpreted in the way most favorable to the defendant.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see
rule of strict construction
Cite this entry
APA

rule of lenity. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rule%20of%20lenity

MLA

“rule of lenity.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rule%20of%20lenity. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rule of lenity,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rule%20of%20lenity.

Source: rule of lenity on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.