as in patient
showing kindness and forgiveness instead of harshness or cruelty especially to someone under one's authority or control
When our English teacher caught us cheating, we prayed he would be merciful in deciding our punishment.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 merciful
Ever since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in January, the only reprieve from this slog of a campaign has been the promise of a swift, merciful end.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Guthrie and her siblings recorded videos, pleading for news, for help, for a merciful change of heart from whoever had absconded with their mom.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
In a way, this can seem merciful.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Guthrie and her siblings recorded videos, pleading for news, for help, for a merciful change of heart from whoever had absconded with their mom.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.
—Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
In a way, this can seem merciful.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
-
Union officials announced their intention to go on strike one month ago to allow UC to prepare for potential disruptions to patient services given the size of the labor group.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
-
In addiction medicine, this type of frequent patient contact would be invaluable for informational purposes as well as successful adherence to treatment plans.—
Steve D. Klein,
STAT,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
That’s particularly noteworthy with sloths, with faces configured in a permanently benevolent expression.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
First bred in Canada and known as a fine water rescue dog, these gentle giants are supremely kind to everyone and display a benevolent, protective nature.—
Aditya Simha,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Similarly, while conversational agents can reflect compassionate language, genuine compassion comes from a place of concern.—
Steve D. Klein,
STAT,
14 May 2026
-
Advice on relationships, family, work and everyday life with practical, compassionate guidance and a touch of humor.—
R Eric Thomas,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Full-price items meet their most gracious price point for attainable at-home renos, and the sitewide sale prices finally make wedding registry shopping more affordable.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2026
-
Sit for a spell on the gracious front porch or have a meal in the elegant onsite eatery.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a trial featuring a clash between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, neither of the tech titans has emerged as an overly sympathetic character.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
The film provides further complexity by not making Bear a sympathetic victim but rather complicit by initially enjoying Nikki’s affections despite their artificial provenance.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pause, cut the message down to what is clear and kind, then respond from the present instead of the undertow.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
And some were not kind to him on social media following the terrible first round.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Since 1980, her partner had been the kindly, worshipful Dutch actor Robert Wolders, whom Ferrer likens to a gentlemanly doormat.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
The economist’s description of the Fed chair was admiring, almost tender— comparing him to a kindly gardener who knew just how much sunlight to bestow upon the plants, or to a father figure who could keep his profligate and dissolute children on the right path.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Not to mention, prepping skin with a brush instead of hands can be more hygienic and gentler on the skin barrier.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 May 2026
-
Our top choice, Purely Northwest Tea Tree Body Wash, is a gentle, skin-friendly option that relies on the former.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
