as in patient
showing kindness and forgiveness instead of harshness or cruelty especially to someone under one's authority or control
When our English teacher caught us cheating, we prayed he would be merciful in deciding our punishment.
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Recent Examples of merciful
The Nets fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-91 Friday night at Target Center, bringing their 2024-25 road slate to a merciful end.
—
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
The Church also believes in and supports the efforts of nations to regulate borders and control immigration, provided it is done in a way that is both just and merciful.
—William McCarthy, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2025
The Gospel's beatitudes—blessed are the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers—stand in stark opposition to the movement's rhetoric of anger and grievance.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The miserable 2024-25 New York Giants season came to a merciful end with a 20-13 loss to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
—Charlotte Carroll, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025
The Church also believes in and supports the efforts of nations to regulate borders and control immigration, provided it is done in a way that is both just and merciful.
—William McCarthy, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2025
The Gospel's beatitudes—blessed are the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers—stand in stark opposition to the movement's rhetoric of anger and grievance.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
The miserable 2024-25 New York Giants season came to a merciful end with a 20-13 loss to the division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
—Charlotte Carroll, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
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The key to success is being patient and consistent with healthy habits.—
Kumkum S. Patel,
Verywell Health,
22 May 2025
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Healthcare organizations can leverage this technology to securely analyze patient data across international boundaries while maintaining compliance.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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New Delhi and Islamabad found a way to de-escalate, stop the fighting and move toward a future that will hopefully be more benevolent than the past.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Their expensive quest is financially backed by a seemingly benevolent billionaire Owen Carver (Domhnall Gleeson), who has his own reasons for helping Luke and Charlotte.—
Eric Andersson,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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One way to initiate a more intentional approach to developing people-centric leaders is to explore the compassionate leadership toolkit, which includes a free assessment, and consider attending WorkHuman’s next conference for educational and morale purposes.—
Laurel Donnellan,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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This can help the development of more conscious leadership and the formation of compassionate teams.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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As the only one with a sense of humor and a semblance of perspective, Jeff is the most sympathetic of this toxic crew.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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The Trump administration has framed support for Palestinians — which Khalil’s grandparents were — as antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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Its three-stateroom design lets owners and guests can enjoy weekend cruising, while the exterior promotes gracious outdoor living in the large beach-club area, or up on the sport bridge.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
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Ohio State fans were actually gracious in honoring him before the game.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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That relationship is built, visit by visit, kind interaction after warm conversation.—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
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She was known as kind, generous, talented, a great collaborator, easy to be around.—
Ashley Spencer,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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The kindly people on the other end had probably not yet been born when I was raped.—
Sarah Beckwith,
New Yorker,
26 May 2025
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Eventually, Billy tries to warn the foster care headquarters, managed by a kindly woman named Wendy (Sally-Anne Upton), that Laura is trying to sabotage Billy.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The two-piece gown featured a sculpted bodice with a gentle curve at the neckline and a drop waist that nodded to early 2000s silhouettes.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
30 May 2025
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Establishing a calming bedtime routine, like gentle brushing or massage, can also help to cue bedtime and reduce nighttime barking.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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