merciful
adjective
mer·ci·ful
ˈmər-si-fəl 
: full of mercy : compassionate
a merciful ruler
also
: providing relief
a merciful end
Examples of merciful in a Sentence
He became less merciful to his enemies.
He died a quick and merciful death.
Recent Examples on the Web
These changes would ensure a more merciful society, one that pardons in the name not of a sovereign president, but of the people.
—
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Although Ake wants to be merciful, Anisha aided a crime that resulted in the death of a Federation officer.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
And what seemed most probably was a blip ultimately dominoed into the disillusioning 2025 season that will come to a merciful end on Sunday in Las Vegas.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
This was seen by the founders as a merciful act, stemming from the tradition of old English law.
—Stewart Ulrich, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
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Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Although Ake wants to be merciful, Anisha aided a crime that resulted in the death of a Federation officer.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 16 Jan. 2026
And what seemed most probably was a blip ultimately dominoed into the disillusioning 2025 season that will come to a merciful end on Sunday in Las Vegas.
—Kansas City Star, 1 Jan. 2026
This was seen by the founders as a merciful act, stemming from the tradition of old English law.
—Stewart Ulrich, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merciful. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
merciful
adjective
mer·ci·ful
ˈmər-si-fəl
: having or showing mercy : compassionate
a merciful ruler
mercifully
adverb
-f(ə-)lē
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