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

Example Sentences

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

Guan Yin, who goes by many variations of her name, is revered as the goddess of compassion and mercy in several different Eastern traditions. —Alyssa Beall, USA TODAY, 13 May 2023

The wine-dark seduction of his gruff rumblings was thrown to the rough mercy of unattainable upper registers. —James Robins, Vulture, 1 May 2023

But at the Met Gala, fame is at the mercy of fashion's extravagance, bringing us Rihanna wearing a yellow dress with a lengthy train, by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, and Katy Perry dressed, by Jeremy Scott, as a chandelier. —Rachel Tashjian, BostonGlobe.com, 1 May 2023

An hour into an eventual 15-0 loss that ended via mercy rule, the St. Genevieve High baseball team — a Southern Section program — walked behind the Maywood Academy bench to prepare for a subsequent double-header against Torres. —Luca Evans, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2023

Meanwhile, the Welsh actor threw himself on the mercy of the crowd and his former executive producers. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 14 Apr. 2023

Most impressively, Yeoh portrays a warrior who can balance her great martial prowess with mercy and even love for Li Mu Bai, a fellow martial arts master played by Chow Yun Fat. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 23 Mar. 2023

The Sovereign’s Scepter with Dove, which represents justice and mercy, is also a gold rod, embedded with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, mounted with a dove with spread wings. —Conor Murray, Forbes, 5 May 2023

Traditionally known as ‘the rod of equity and mercy,’ it was created by the crown jeweler, Robert Vyner, in 1661. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 4 May 2023

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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

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

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

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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."