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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Researchers explored how prosocial behavior, acts of genuine kindness and concern for others influences perceptions of physical attractiveness.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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But Mike throws the man’s kindness back in his face by knocking him out and lifting his watch and wallet.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 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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Grant’s toughness is rooted in playing baseball alongside two older brothers who spared no sympathy.—
Ben Bolch,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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None of this has anything to do with how great Fahy is, giving expertly wry line-readings and selling empathy for a character whose reliably bad decisions don’t always feel clearly motivated.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2025
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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
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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But the only thing standard about the play that involves Hurts getting shoved by a teammate or two in the physical region that defies verbal grace is the consistency with which the Philadelphia Eagles pick up first downs, score touchdowns and confound those who haven’t yet found a way to stop it.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
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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But the prosecutor’s request for leniency doesn’t stop there.—
Mike Fox,
Oc Register,
12 May 2025
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The move comes amid CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ongoing charm offensive to win over the Trump Administration, looking for leniency as Meta fights a federal antitrust lawsuit aiming to break it up.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors.—
Gina Vaynshteyn,
StyleCaster,
19 May 2025
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The police service added that six of the victims were men and two were women.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Leadership wisdom is a combination of head, hunch and heart.—
Gregory Stebbins,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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These young people offer me their time and their hearts on some level.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mercy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mercy. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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