mercy

noun

mer·​cy ˈmər-sē 

plural mercies

1

a

: compassion or forbearance (see forbearance sense 1) shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power

also : lenient or compassionate treatment

begged for mercy

b

: imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder

2

a

: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

May God have mercy on us.

b

: a fortunate circumstance

it was a mercy they found her before she froze

3

: compassionate treatment of those in distress

works of mercy among the poor

mercy adjective

Phrases

at the mercy of

: wholly in the power of : with no way to protect oneself against

Synonyms

• charity
• clemency
• forbearance
• lenience
• leniency
• lenity
• mercifulness
• quarter

Choose the Right Synonym for mercy

mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency 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

charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Examples of mercy in a Sentence

He is a vicious criminal who deserves no mercy.

She fell to her knees and asked for mercy.

They came on a mission of mercy to provide food and medical care for starving children.

It's a mercy that the building was empty when the fire started.

Thank heaven for small mercies.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Benicia’s win Monday, Banks-Lockhart doubled and knocked in two runs and Maas allowed three hits and struck out four before the game was called after five innings because of the mercy rule. —Darren Sabedra, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

But after that, the balloon will be at the mercy of the wind, free-floating for up to 35 minutes and ideally passing through the path of totality. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Their widespread abandonment of the practice, which was popular in both parties before 2020, means that Republican candidates are now far more at the mercy of Election Day problems like bad weather, long lines or voting machine hiccups. —Nick Corasaniti Caitlin O’Hara, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

But that doesn’t mean that its long-term prospects for democracy are hopeless, or that the United States should leave the country to the tender mercies of warring factions and Chinese intervention. —Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

Wright is among hundreds of prisoners who in recent years have asked Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for mercy and applied for executive clemency. —Luke Nozicka, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

Her parents blamed her actions on mental health struggles Candelario’s parents pleaded with the judge for mercy. —Faith Karimi, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024

Cherry blossoms have the potential to last two weeks but are at the mercy of the weather. —Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

There is no punting, and as far as rules allow, there is no mercy. —Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French merci, from Medieval Latin merced-, merces, from Latin, price paid, wages, from merc-, merx merchandise

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mercy

• have mercy/pity
• have mercy
• mission of mercy
• mercy killing
• show no mercy
• take mercy on
• at someone's or something's mercy
• to the mercy of
• throw oneself on the mercy of (someone)
• of mercy
• at the mercy of

Kids Definition

mercy

noun

mer·​cy ˈmər-sē 

plural mercies

1

a

: kind and gentle treatment of someone (as a wrongdoer or opponent) having no right to it

b

: a disposition to show mercy

2

a

: a blessing as an act of divine love

the mercies of God

b

: a fortunate happening

it's a mercy the weather cooled off

3

: kindness shown to victims of misfortune

works of mercy among the poor

Etymology

Middle English merci, mercy "mercy," from early French merci, mercit (same meaning), from Latin merces "price paid for something, wages, reward"

Word Origin

To the ancient Romans, the Latin word merces meant "price paid for something, wages, reward." The early Christians of Rome used the word in a slightly different way. For them it meant the spiritual reward one receives for doing a kindness in response to an unkindness. The word came into early French as mercit or merci with much the same meaning as was later passed on to our Modern English word mercy. But while mercy in English now has the meaning "kindness or pity shown to someone," the word merci in French has lost much of that meaning and is chiefly used today to mean "thank you."