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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mercy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mercy are charity, clemency, grace, and leniency. While all these words 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

When would charity be a good substitute for mercy?

While the synonyms charity and mercy are close in meaning, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When can clemency be used instead of mercy?

The words clemency and mercy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When is it sensible to use grace instead of mercy?

The synonyms grace and mercy are sometimes interchangeable, but grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is leniency a more appropriate choice than mercy?

The words leniency and mercy can be used in similar contexts, but leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mercy The governor [Gavin Newsom] needs to attack this, because everyone's pretty much at their mercy. Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 10 Jan. 2025 Bart Jansen: Pardon power comes down through English law and the tradition that allowed the king to extend mercy for convicts. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025 Prosecutors are at the mercy of Judge Aileen Cannon or 11th Circuit Court judges, both of whom have been entertaining arguments over the past week from President-elect Donald Trump and his co-defendants in Florida that the report should stay under wraps. Ashley Oliver, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Jan. 2025 Each day will open the door to receive God's grace and mercy anew. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for mercy 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mercy
Noun
  • Whether through community service, acts of kindness, or conversations that challenge and inspire, the day is about pushing his vision forward.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The nine characteristics are empathy, perseverance, gratitude, generosity, kindness, justice, honesty, humility and leadership.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Liu doesn’t invite a shred of sympathy for this pitiless mom.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Trump has long expressed sympathy for his supporters accused or found guilty of crimes for their involvement in the riot.
    Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • What accounts for that kind of compassion in a star athlete whose sport is not known for its, um, empathy?
    Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Read More: The Science of Crying While research suggests crying alone isn’t overly helpful, crying around others often leads to comfort, support, empathy, and stronger social bonds.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Caregivers in general should give themselves more grace, because parenting mistakes happen—and most of them aren’t going to end in disaster.
    Katrina Donham, Parents, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In that climate, acts of compassion and humanity become suspicious, even unwelcome.
    Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The interfaith outpouring of compassion and generosity is an example of faith in action, those interviewed say.
    Sophie Hills, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • One of New Jersey’s six state ethics commissioners wrote a letter to convicted former Sen. Bob Menendez’s judge asking for leniency.
    Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The first, and more controversial, was through interpretative leniency.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Consider joining groups, attending a spiritual service or visiting a museum.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Biden made several trips to the Palmetto State during his presidency, including to attend the funeral service of Rev. Clementa Pinckney following his murder in the shooting at Mother Emmanuel Church, where a white supremacist gunman killed nine worshippers in 2015.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Eating more potassium-rich foods can help prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.29 12.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 Jan. 2025
  • These photos reveal the heart of the game—a heart that still beats, though now behind closed doors.
    Monty Davis, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near mercy

Cite this Entry

“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mercy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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