Definition of mercynext
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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 Several of the women pleaded to be beheaded before the fire was lit and were granted this mercy. Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026 Behind Riverside’s Cheryl Miller, who as a teenager showed no mercy on her younger brother, Reggie Miller, the future NBA star, in pickup games, USC won the title in 1982 and 1983. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026 Kristen, this is why the — the president and Secretary Hegseth’s rhetoric about no mercy, no quarter, death from above, bomb you to the Stone Ages, this kind of rhetoric is really dangerous because the likelihood of having downed pilots or others who are captured in a war like this is very high. NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026 Her sister died because Margot failed to respect that social content is still at the mercy of physical consequence, and so Margot has rededicated herself to helping Kino draw a clearer line between real life and what its users see on their phone screens. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mercy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy
Noun
  • Dolores is a tribute to all of us to continue the struggle for justice and humanity — not to be caught up in an ideology for a cause that is greater than our basic human needs for kindness, dignity and belonging.
    Lynn DeWoskin Covarrubias, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Send a caring text because kindness opens doors without fuss.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Couples expressed sympathy for Woods, sharing his own experience with back pain, but for some of Woods’ peers, that sympathy is qualified with a caveat.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
  • While Council members expressed sympathy towardf those who have been impacted by recent federal immigration action, some members were hesitant to pursue such an ordinance, fearing that the legislation would give residents a false sense of security.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This straightforward set-up lays the groundwork for a moving, and often anxiety-inducing, investigation of language, empathy, and miscommunication.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Spoelstra said there is nothing but empathy.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The light that falls from the left, through half-open windows, onto Vermeer’s walls, some of them bare, testifies not so much to an overcast Dutch day as to a suffusion of grace.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Luna is in your sign, boosting your intuition with lunar grace.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Review a budget, cancel unused subscriptions, or price your art or services more fairly, while remembering that compassion includes paying yourself on time.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Cass High officials said the school will carry forward Dean's commitment to students and his example of compassion and dedication.
    Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some states are not only setting the strictest requirements but also blocking out the optional leniency built into the federal rules.
    Samantha Liss, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Local media reported that Somali apologized for his actions before entering court Wednesday, and that his mother had submitted a petition for leniency last month.
    Stella Kim, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • His team found that this Omnistealer was compatible with more than 60 cryptocurrency wallet extensions, including MetaMask and Coinbase; more than 10 password managers, including LastPass; more than 10 web browsers, including Chrome and Firefox; and cloud storage services like Google Drive.
    Jessica Klein, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Shuttle services have been arranged to transport journalists between the media center and a hotel in the city’s main shopping mall.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Youngsters and the young at heart were there to represent at the screening of the motion picture biopic, capturing the life of the city's biggest star.
    Jermont Terry, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • This method verges outside the range of human hearing, using ultrasound waves, the same type of technology commonly used to image babies during prenatal visits and heart structures in cardiology studies, to control cells with precision.
    Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.

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