mercy

mer·cy

noun \ˈmər-sē\

plural mercies

Definition of MERCY

1

a : compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment <begged for mercy>

b : imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder

2

a : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

b : a fortunate circumstance <it was a mercy they found her before she froze>

3

: compassionate treatment of those in distress <works of mercy among the poor>

— mercy adjective

— at the mercy of

: wholly in the power of : with no way to protect oneself against

Examples of MERCY

1. He is a vicious criminal who deserves no mercy.
2. She fell to her knees and asked for mercy.
3. They came on a mission of mercy to provide food and medical care for starving children.
4. It's a mercy that the building was empty when the fire started.
5. Thank heaven for small mercies.

Origin of MERCY

Middle English, from Anglo-French merci, from Medieval Latin merced-, merces, from Latin, price paid, wages, from merc-, merx merchandise

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to MERCY

Synonyms

charity, clemency, forbearance, lenience, leniency, lenity, mercifulness, quarter

Antonyms

coldheartedness, hard-heartedness, inhumanity, inhumanness, mercilessness, pitilessness

Related Words

humanitarianism, philanthropy; empathy, pity, sympathy, understanding; commiseration, favor, grace; benevolence, care, compassion, gentleness, goodness, goodwill, humaneness, kindliness, kindness, meekness, mildness, niceness, softness, tenderness; altruism, generosity, magnanimity, nobility; affection, devotion, love, worship

Near Antonyms

hard-heartedness, mercilessness, pitilessness, ruthlessness, uncharitableness; reprisal, requital, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance; venom, vindictiveness, virulence, vitriol; atrocity, barbarity, brutality, cruelty, sadism, savageness, savagery, truculence, viciousness, violence, wantonness; castigation, chastisement, discipline, punishment, scolding; abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred, loathing; cattiness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen; animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jealousy, pique, resentment; bile, jaundice, rancor; hatefulness, invidiousness; coarseness, hardness, harshness, roughness

Synonym Discussion of MERCY

mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion. mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it <threw himself on the mercy of the court>. charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others <show a little charity for the less fortunate>. clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing <the judge refused to show clemency>. grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions <by the grace of God>. leniency implies lack of severity in punishing <criticized the courts for excessive leniency>.

Rhymes with MERCY

pursy