Synonyms of mercy

mercy

noun

ˈmər-sē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mercifulness
• empathy
• compassion
• leniency
• kindness
• sympathy
• grace
• clemency
• forbearance
• lenience
• goodness
• charity
• pity
• lenity
• tenderness
• generosity
• love
• quarter
• understanding
• affection
• humanitarianism
• gentleness
• benevolence
• goodwill
• magnanimity
• meekness
• softness
• favor
• philanthropy
• worship
• devotion
• nobility
• altruism
• humaneness
• kindliness
• mildness
• care
• niceness
• commiseration

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vengeance
• revenge
• ruthlessness
• retribution
• retaliation
• punishment
• cruelty
• violence
• vindictiveness
• brutality
• virulence
• reprisal
• discipline
• savagery
• venom
• mercilessness
• hatred
• requital
• spite
• barbarity
• sadism
• viciousness
• pitilessness
• vitriol
• chastisement
• scolding
• hate
• malice
• savageness
• uncharitableness
• wantonness
• hard-heartedness
• atrocity
• truculence
• loathing
• hostility
• abhorrence
• malevolence
• castigation
• enmity
• meanness
• spleen
• abomination
• jealousy
• antagonism
• malignity
• malignancy
• detestation
• resentment
• maliciousness
• animosity
• antipathy
• bitterness
• gall
• execration
• grudge
• bile
• nastiness
• hardness
• jaundice
• rancor
• harshness
• pique
• roughness
• spitefulness
• coarseness
• hatefulness
• cattiness
• invidiousness

2

as in kindness

an act of kind assistance

did a mercy for the stranded motorist and was richly rewarded

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kindness
• grace
• service
• privilege
• indulgence
• courtesy
• benevolence
• blessing
• favor
• benefit
• turn
• boon
• advantage
• waiver
• dispensation
• liberty
• godsend
• license
• manna

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interference
• obstacle
• hindrance
• impediment
• hurdle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kindness
• sympathy
• compassion
• heart
• pity
• generosity
• humanity
• feeling
• ruth
• feelings
• kindliness
• sensitivity
• commiseration
• kindheartedness
• responsiveness
• charity
• good-heartedness
• love
• largeheartedness
• warmheartedness
• bigheartedness
• affection
• softheartedness
• regard
• empathy
• sensibility
• benevolence
• humaneness
• affinity
• benignity
• altruism
• goodwill
• humanism
• humanitarianism
• rapport
• philanthropy
• benignancy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inhumanity
• indifference
• coldness
• callousness
• cruelty
• mercilessness
• disinterest
• unconcern
• pitilessness
• coldheartedness
• hatred
• hard-heartedness
• harshness
• inhumanness
• hostility
• animosity
• dislike
• antipathy

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

Recent Examples of mercy

For example, when Rhode Islanders complained about how the British ship Gaspee was attacking their ships without mercy in its hunt for smugglers, the Royal Navy waved away the colonial government. — Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026

Read on for their top picks, including beach-ready flip-flops and dressier styles that won't leave your feet begging for mercy. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Algeria found itself at the mercy of Lionel Messi who scored a wonderful hat-trick in its first game, although the Argentine forward was somewhat assisted by some terrible defending that will need to get better. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

Sodais was left at the mercy of appealing the decision and needed help proving his case. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026

Phrases Containing mercy

• mercy killing