clemency

noun

clem·​en·​cy ˈkle-mən(t)-sē 

plural clemencies

1

a

: disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due

The judge ignored the prisoner's pleas for clemency.

b

: an act or instance of leniency

The governor's clemencies saved the lives of many death-row prisoners.

2

: pleasant mildness of weather

The fair was a great success, owing to the clemency of the weather.

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for clemency

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 clemency in a Sentence

The President has granted clemency to several people this month.

the judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump’s sweeping act of clemency didn’t erase Erin Smith’s lawsuit against Walls-Kaufman. —Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

President Trump’s pardons and clemencies allowed recipients to get out of paying more than $1.3 billion in restitution and fines, according to a review of court records by Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 17 June 2025

The government dismissed the felony obstruction count and two misdemeanor counts last year, and on Jan. 20, his entire case was dismissed as a result of Trump’s executive order granting clemency to the nearly 1,600 Capitol riot defendants. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2025

Kardashian reportedly pressured Trump to grant clemency to Alice Marie Johnson, who was sentenced to life for a nonviolent drug offense, in 2018, and lobbied for the First Step Act, which aimed to reduce prison sentences, including mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug convictions. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see clement

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for clemency

• inclemency

Kids Definition

clemency

noun

clem·​en·​cy ˈklem-ən-sē 

plural clemencies

1

: disposition to be merciful

2

: an act or instance of mercy

Legal Definition

clemency

noun

clem·​en·​cy ˈkle-mən-sē 

plural clemencies

1

: willingness or ability to moderate the severity of a punishment (as a sentence)

2

: an act or instance of mercy, compassion, or forgiveness see also amnesty, commute, pardon, reprieve