merciful

adjective

mer·​ci·​ful ˈmər-si-fəl How to pronounce merciful (audio)
: full of mercy : compassionate
a merciful ruler
also : providing relief
a merciful end
mercifulness noun

Examples of merciful in a Sentence

He became less merciful to his enemies. He died a quick and merciful death.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Eventually, when the game came to a merciful close, attention turned back to the health of Guerrero. Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 Founded in the mid-19th century as a grocery store in Greenwich Village, the bar retains a patina of its early years—the dim interior, wood walls, the merciful lack of thunka-thunk music. Harrison Hill, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025 Basically a reboot after the last World trilogy with Chris Pratt came to a merciful conclusion, Rebirth stars Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, and Rupert Friend, but, of course, the real stars are the dinosaurs. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025 Not only did the team put an offensive moniker that shall remain nameless in this space in its past, but Snyder's sad and disturbing reign as owner finally came to a merciful end. Jim Reineking, USA Today, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for merciful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of merciful was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/merciful. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

merciful

adjective
mer·​ci·​ful ˈmər-si-fəl How to pronounce merciful (audio)
: having or showing mercy : compassionate
a merciful ruler
mercifully
-f(ə-)lē
adverb
mercifulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on merciful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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