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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 Afterward, the penitent offers a prayer of contrition, asking for God’s mercy. Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025 But Cantlay's loss got no mercy on social media. Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 Hiring managers are at the mercy of catfishing, where final candidates accept a job offer only to never show up. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025 Josh and Pete also keep in contact with Tokyo-Kitasuna, a Japanese team that won the tournament via a 10-run mercy rule in 2017. Zach Powell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mercy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy
Noun
  • He's spent 20 years repaying this debt kindness.
    Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
  • We are all moved by her kindness and gratefulness in the midst of pain.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The comedian, who performed as a cast member on the series from 2020 to 2024, reacted to the news of her former colleagues' exits from the show with a mix of confusion and sympathy.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The story, shared by Reddit user u/kcialis in the r/delta subreddit, has drawn widespread sympathy from fellow travelers and accumulated 2,500 upvotes since it was shared on August 27.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Guerrero’s leadership blends sociological insight with technical empathy.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • His transformation, told through milestones rather than narration, has prompted an outpouring of praise and empathy from viewers who were touched by his journey.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The event itself is as chaotic as ever, with business strategist Ken (Tim Key) working overtime to get back into his boss, Marv Putnam's (Allan Havey) good graces, and Esmeralda going to great lengths to steal back the spotlight.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Fall in Texas is fun, but the show tackles real issues thoughtfully and with grace.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • What begins as a chronicle of her parents, sister, and children’s efforts to secure her return, becomes a portrait of conflicting impulses towards anger, vengeance, and compassion, straining the bonds of one grieving family.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Paige and Drake saw their father put compassion into action and came to understand that the practice of law could be fulfilling and sustainable.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Hawthorne’s family speaks Hawthorne’s mother, Vonda Hawthorne, and a family friend also spoke on his behalf, asking the judge to consider some leniency in his sentencing.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
  • His defense attorney at the time, Brooke Wells, argued for leniency, saying that Menzies had a long history of being abused and neglected as a child and had been diagnosed with mental disorders, the Tribune reported.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But unlike a first class cabin on a plane, these buses don't include any dedicated on-board service.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The center opened eight weeks ago and aims to close the gap in support for adult day center services in Tennessee.
    Ruben Montoya, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Kahan, known for his raw anthems, offers more insight into the inner workings of his heart in his lyrics than in public comments.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This isn’t the first study to suggest the importance of breakfast for living a long life—research has shown that regularly eating a morning meal is linked with lower overall and heart-related mortality (and that bypassing it can up your heart-disease risk).
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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