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Supple vs Flexible - What's the difference?

supple | flexible |

Flexible is a synonym of supple.



As adjectives the difference between supple and flexible

is that supple is pliant, flexible, easy to bend while flexible is capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; not stiff or brittle.

As a verb supple

is to make or become supple.

As a noun flexible is

something that is flexible.

supple

English

Adjective

(er)
  • pliant, flexible, easy to bend
  • lithe and agile when moving and bending
    • supple''' joints; '''supple fingers
  • compliant; yielding to the will of others
    • a supple horse
  • * John Locke
    • If punishment makes not the will supple , it hardens the offender.

    Verb

  • To make or become supple.
  • * Dryden
    • The stones suppled into softness as they fell.
  • * Spenser
    • The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.
  • To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
  • * John Locke
    • a mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will
  • * Barrow
    • They should supple our stiff willfulness.

    flexible

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Capable of being flexed or bent without breaking; able to be turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; not stiff or brittle.
    • When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks. -
  • Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant; wavering.
    • Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people. - .
    Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible . -
  • Capable or being adapted or molded; plastic,; as, a flexible language.
    • This was a principle more flexible to their purpose. -Rogers.

    Synonyms

    * bendsome * ductile * inconstant * manageable * obsequious * pliant * pliable * supple * tractable * wavering

    Derived terms

    * flexibly * flexibleness

    Related terms

    * flexibility * inflexible

    See also

    * foldable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chiefly, engineering, and, manufacturing) Something that is flexible.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2009, date=August 19, author=Terry McCrann, title=Win-win deal for the times, work=Herald Sun citation
    • , passage=Alcan is mostly flexibles -- and so it boosts Amcor's flexible packaging business to a globally significant $7 billion one. }}

    References

    * * (flexible) * (flexibility) ----