Pronunciation

/ˈmɜːrsi/

Definitions

• Noun: Compassion, kindness, or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm. For example: “The king granted mercy to the rebels and spared their lives.”
  • The quality of being compassionate, kind, and forgiving. Example: “Mercy is a virtue that should guide our actions towards others.”
• Verb (used in archaic or religious contexts): To have mercy on; to forgive or spare. Example: “May God have mercy upon your soul.”

Phrases

• “To show mercy” means to be lenient or compassionate towards someone who deserves punishment or harm.
• “Mercy killing” refers to the act of painlessly ending someone’s life, usually to relieve suffering from an incurable illness or injury.
• “Mercy rule” is a sports term where a game ends early if one team has an insurmountable lead, sparing the losing team further humiliation.
• “At someone’s mercy” implies being vulnerable to another person’s whim or decision, often with negative connotations. Example: “After their ship sank, they were at the mercy of the ocean currents.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The judge granted mercy to the defendant and reduced his sentence.”
• Verb: “In ancient times, the ruler would mercifully pardon prisoners on certain holidays.”

Synonyms

• Pity
• Clemency
• Forgiveness
• Leniency
• Kindness
• Charity
• Compassion
• Indulgence