1
as in mercifulness
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it
always show your enemies mercy, because it makes you a better person
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2
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance
did a mercy for the stranded motorist and was richly rewarded
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3
as in sympathy
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune
a woman of such mercy that she's been known to cry over dead rodents
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mercy
Pope Francis was a man whose experience of the mercy of God profoundly shaped his entire life and deeply marked his twelve-year pontificate.
—
Daniel Foster, National Review, 15 May 2025
Son Brendan was murdered with a chainsaw on Richie Stevenson’s orders while Seraphina screamed for mercy next to her half-brother; Richie had a livestream of the grisly event sent to Maeve’s phone.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025
This hilarious odyssey of a parched protagonist reminds us that sometimes our relative sacrifices for the greater good can be tempered by small mercies along the way.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Relying too much on one leaves you vulnerable and at their mercy.
—Mark Minevich, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mercy
Daniel Foster, National Review, 15 May 2025
Son Brendan was murdered with a chainsaw on Richie Stevenson’s orders while Seraphina screamed for mercy next to her half-brother; Richie had a livestream of the grisly event sent to Maeve’s phone.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 11 May 2025
This hilarious odyssey of a parched protagonist reminds us that sometimes our relative sacrifices for the greater good can be tempered by small mercies along the way.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Relying too much on one leaves you vulnerable and at their mercy.
—Mark Minevich, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mercy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy
Noun
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Researchers explored how prosocial behavior, acts of genuine kindness and concern for others influences perceptions of physical attractiveness.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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But Mike throws the man’s kindness back in his face by knocking him out and lifting his watch and wallet.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Back home, Ramaphosa briefly enjoyed a wave of sympathy for remaining composed during what was the latest ambush of a foreign leader at the Oval Office.—
Sizwe Mpofu Walsh,
Time,
23 May 2025
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Fitting with a broader pattern of Gazans being seen as undeserving of sympathy, our survey found that more than a third of Israelis believe that more than 90% of Palestinians in Gaza support Hamas.—
Carlo Koos,
The Conversation,
22 May 2025
Noun
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None of this has anything to do with how great Fahy is, giving expertly wry line-readings and selling empathy for a character whose reliably bad decisions don’t always feel clearly motivated.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
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Epictetus’s and Nietzsche’s worries about pity or compassion carry over to empathy.—
Colin Marshall,
The Conversation,
22 May 2025
Noun
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In early 2024, the death of Lee — easily one of the most famous figures to fall from grace — generated a powerful sense of urgency within the Korean industry for change.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
21 May 2025
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But the only thing standard about the play that involves Hurts getting shoved by a teammate or two in the physical region that defies verbal grace is the consistency with which the Philadelphia Eagles pick up first downs, score touchdowns and confound those who haven’t yet found a way to stop it.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Our world needs symbols of hope, compassion and something greater than the struggles of this life.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
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Their courage should prompt compassion, not condemnation.—
Laura Castañeda,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 May 2025
Noun
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But the prosecutor’s request for leniency doesn’t stop there.—
Mike Fox,
Oc Register,
12 May 2025
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The move comes amid CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ongoing charm offensive to win over the Trump Administration, looking for leniency as Meta fights a federal antitrust lawsuit aiming to break it up.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images Schumer said the Coast Guard has a system called vehicle traffic service, or VTS, that's similar to how the FAA handles air traffic control.—
Naveen Dhaliwal,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
19 May 2025
Noun
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But most importantly, Cuban wore his heart on his jacket sleeves for fellow entrepreneurs coming onto the show.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Dogs hold a special place in many people's hearts—and their homes.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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