The term 'pliant' is used to describe something that is easily bent or shaped without breaking. This can be seen in the crossword solutions given, which include 'DOCILE' (6 letters), meaning obedient and easily managed; 'FLEXIBLE' (8 letters), meaning able to bend without breaking; 'SOFT' (4 letters), meaning yielding to pressure; 'LIMBER' (6 letters), meaning easily bent; 'ELASTIC' (7 letters), meaning able to return to its original shape after being stretched; 'LITHE' (5 letters), meaning SUPPLE and graceful; 'SUPPLE' (6 letters), meaning FLEXIBLE and easily bent; and 'FLEXILE' (7 letters), meaning able to be bent or twisted. All of these words are used to describe something that is pliant, and thus easily bent or shaped without breaking.