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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By Carol McCloud, Illustrated by David Messing Summary: This book explains clearly and simply how everyone has an invisible bucket that can be filled through small acts of kindness or emptied by acts of thoughtlessness or cruelty.—
Esther K. Choy,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Among the many points for assessing happiness around the world, like sharing meals with others and family bonds, researchers for the 2025 World Happiness Report looked closely at acts of kindness.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
29 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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But to earn their trust and loyalty, brands need to understand their realities and meet them with empathy, transparency and action.—
Nandan Sheth,
Forbes.com,
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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The headless chicken monster is worthy of note, not just for its funny nickname, but for its jewel-like beauty and grace as a swimmer.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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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
Noun
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Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
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What makes the company stand out, according to its owners, is a blend of artistry, technology and sense of compassion in the grieving process.—
Jessie Schiewe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Defense attorneys have asked the court for leniency, citing the defendants’ age and health.—
Thomas Adamson,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
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Bellier-Beaumont pleaded for leniency, barraging the legal authorities with letters defending Edmond’s character.—
Jay Cheshes,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The intent of the new memorandum was to redirect individuals who do not require halfway house services to home confinement.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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Rebirth, as Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Jurassic World, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom all land on June 1, and on June 29, a sneak peek of Jurassic World Rebirth hits the streaming service.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Pregnant women are at high risk for severe disease and studies show that the likelihood of miscarriage, stillbirth and pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, blood clots, heart and kidney damage and hypertension are much higher among women who develop COVID-19 during pregnancy.—
Karen Weintraub,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
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Leadership wisdom is a combination of head, hunch and heart.—
Gregory Stebbins,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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