pliable adj. + Add to list US //ˈpɫaɪəbəɫ// UK //plˈaɪəbəl// pli·able SynonymsEtymology Synonyms bendableductileelasticfictileflexiblemalleableplianttensiletractilewaxyOrigin From Middle French, from Old French ploiable, from ploiier (“to fold”). By surface analysis, ply + -able. Compare pliant.