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
Would Homelander be merciful and spare just this one?
—
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
-
The clinic offers Sapphire FUE and DHI procedures and has built a strong English-language patient pipeline targeting European and American travelers.—
Ascend Agency,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
-
Be patient because borax works slowly, though effectively.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Hostile and benevolent sexism are early indicators of deeper problems.—
Susan Madsen,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
Amazed to discover her treasure-trove apartment, Julián also discovers his own Caribbean heritage and the lively Brooklyn community he is surrounded by, in a loveable, benevolent family-friendly feature.—
Kevin Giraud,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Family remembers Nazir Bell Bell's family described him as a bright and compassionate young man with a promising future.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Plenty of evangelical pastors, writers, and advocates have called for and modelled a more compassionate and inclusive faith.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
The owners were gracious enough to give us a detailed tour of the enormous space and its outstanding collection of artworks.—
Rebecca Treon,
Parents,
18 June 2026
-
Canadians live up to their gracious, welcoming reputation, and their desire to make your visit special turns this stunning drive into a lifelong memory.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Leaders are constantly in a chronic, sympathetic-dominant state that, if not appropriately managed, can have downstream effects on their cardiovascular health, immune functioning, sleep, and even personal relationships.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2026
-
Jackson thought Colorado voters would be sympathetic to the state’s water crisis, caused by decades of drought and climate change.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Levine, of course, had even kinder things to say about the contestant who prompted all three to turn their chairs during the audition round.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
-
Each edition is a well-aged rye whiskey that has been given a first-of-its kind cask finish.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
The show sends Pride & Prejudice‘s resident frump (a charming Ella Bruccoleri) on a journey of self-discovery filled with kindly relatives, enormous books, lavish balls and, yes, eligible suitors.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 June 2026
-
Traumatized into silence, the de facto orphan stays living with the kindly but guilt-ridden, grieving and impecunious Hiroshi.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Bemotrizinol is gentle enough to use on children as young as 6 months, according to the FDA, and has lower levels of absorption through the skin and into the body.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
During the Sudanese civil war, South Sudan’s elephant population plummeted from 100,000 to 5,000 over three decades, as herds of gentle bystanders got caught in the crossfire.—
The Los Angeles Times,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
