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.
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Recent Examples of merciful
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
Zubac outscored Guangzhou 12-10 in the paint by himself in the first half, and that was with Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue being merciful.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie.
—Amanda Castro
gabe Whisnant
anna Commander
toby Meyjes
shane Croucher
john Feng
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Founded in the mid-19th century as a grocery store in Greenwich Village, the bar retains a patina of its early years—the dim interior, wood walls, the merciful lack of thunka-thunk music.
—Harrison Hill, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Stewart Ulrich, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Zubac outscored Guangzhou 12-10 in the paint by himself in the first half, and that was with Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue being merciful.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
May he be received into the merciful arms of our loving Savior who suffered and died for Charlie.
—Amanda Castro
gabe Whisnant
anna Commander
toby Meyjes
shane Croucher
john Feng
joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Founded in the mid-19th century as a grocery store in Greenwich Village, the bar retains a patina of its early years—the dim interior, wood walls, the merciful lack of thunka-thunk music.
—Harrison Hill, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
-
That’s had a direct impact on patient numbers, Muthyala said.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Be patient, understanding, and (most importantly) listen.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
At a slow, quiet and benevolent pace that blurred the lines between reality and fiction.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The North’s decisions about prisoner exchanges were based on military calculations, not benevolent concern for Black captives.—
Drew Gilpin Faust,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Elizabeth was principled and compassionate while Jessica was carefree, outgoing and manipulative, and their clashes and crushes became a welcome distraction.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Protect your rest now, and let silence restore a clear, compassionate perspective.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
From the gracious foyer to the expansive living room with horizonless views, every detail signals residential grandeur.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Of all the Welk stars, the harmonizing Lennon Sisters have always been among the most gracious and congenial.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The source added that Kate is sympathetic toward Beatrice and Eugenie as a fellow mother to young children.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Other judges have been more sympathetic to the NCAA’s concern that the unique character of college sports could be harmed if players stick around for years as perpetual graduate students.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Whatever the politicians say, many want to be kinder to the planet as well.—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Those who knew Kok described him to the Daily News in 2019 as a kind and humble gentleman who traveled long distances for jobs in the service industry.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After several years in theater, Duvall got his film break when he was cast as the kindly, misunderstood outsider Boo Radley in the Oscar-winning 1962 adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Involving America’s kindly neighbors to the north?—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wash gym clothes on a gentle setting.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
They are specifically designed to provide gentle, even pressure across the body.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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