Definition of mercynext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mercy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mercy are charity, clemency, grace, and leniency. While all these words 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

When would charity be a good substitute for mercy?

While the synonyms charity and mercy are close in meaning, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When can clemency be used instead of mercy?

The words clemency and mercy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When is it sensible to use grace instead of mercy?

The synonyms grace and mercy are sometimes interchangeable, but grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is leniency a more appropriate choice than mercy?

The words leniency and mercy can be used in similar contexts, but leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mercy Mistle mercy-kills the thing that used to be Juniper. Scott Meslow, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 Early on, the larvae are very tiny and at the mercy of sea currents, explains Pruett, who has studied them in the lab. JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025 Their recording was a kinetic thrashathon with machine-gun-fast guitar notes and solos and Hetfield’s convincing screams for mercy. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025 After suffering a major setback in March by losing the capital of Khartoum, the RSF regained the initiative in the following months, culminating in the SAF withdrawing from its last stronghold in western Sudan, El Fasher, leaving it at the RSF’s mercy. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mercy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy
Noun
  • For months afterward, kindness arrived in unexpected forms — neighbors bringing food, strangers offering furniture, friends calling daily.
    Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Does their lack of kindness grant you permission to respond with equal insensitivity or even cruelty?
    Michael Isaacson, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Lilleaas shares her character’s sympathy for the inability of different generations to connect.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • No sympathy for Maduro Maduro, the ruthless dictator arrested with his wife and flown to New York for trial, deserves no sympathy.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • One of the biggest things is carrying the weight of the empathy, of feeling people’s issues or how people feel.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Featuring families across Ireland, Spain, and America, Tóibín is an author with incredible empathy for the human condition and these stories will be a perfect read for anyone who cares about the short story form.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Mia's courage, optimism and grace touched the lives of the entire Husky community.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Not everyone is convinced economic talk is the way back into voters’ good graces.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Similarly, unhoused patients are either sources of spectacle (the first season’s man with rats nesting in his clothing) or figures whose primary function is to showcase the nurses’ compassion.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
  • With the perfect blend of dark humor and compassion for her characters, Schumacher writes of the absurdity of the human experience.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Survivors say the denomination’s pattern of secrecy and leniency deepened their trauma.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Trump’s leniency toward dubious white-collar figures also extends well beyond the crypto realm.
    Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In addition to marketing and contract management services, Cureate offers educational courses.
    Cristina LaRue, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • An Assumption block and a Notre Dame error tied the score, but Emily Keiran's service error gave the Pandas a 15-14 lead.
    Rich Barak, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Still, more robust research was needed to declare that the portfolio diet leads to heart-health benefits for everyone, including healthy individuals.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Gizmo’s incredible adoption story has certainly melted hearts online after Neveux documented her journey on TikTok (@saviiirose).
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mercy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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