mercy

SayMUR-see/ˈmɝsi/UK/ˈmɜːsi/

Pluralmercies (some meanings)

9 meanings of mercy

1
noununcountable
Forgiveness or compassion shown to others, especially toward those who are weak, poor, or less fortunate.
The victor showed mercy to the captured soldiers and spared their lives.
Charity workers treat the homeless with great mercy and understanding.
Similarcompassion, pity, sympathy, empathy, commiseration
Oppositecruelty, harshness, severity, ruthlessness
2
noununcountable
A holding back from causing or allowing harm to another, when one has the power to do so.
The conquering army showed unexpected mercy, sparing the defeated city.
Pleading for mercy, the prisoner vowed to change his ways.
Similarkindness, leniency
Oppositecruelty, ruthlessness, mercilessness
3
noununcountable
A disposition toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion as a settled trait of character.
His natural mercy led him to forgive even those who had wronged him deeply.
A ruler's mercy can shape how an entire kingdom treats its weakest members.
Similarcompassion, clemency, leniency, forgiveness, pity
Oppositecruelty, ruthlessness, harshness
4
nouncountable
A particular act in which someone holds back from harm or grants forgiveness.
Releasing the debtors was an unexpected mercy that no one had predicted.
The countless mercies he granted during his reign were recorded in the chronicles.
Similarkindness, pardon, reprieve
5
nouncountable
A welcome blessing; something fortunate that one can be grateful for.
It was a mercy that the storm passed before the festival began.
Among life's small mercies, she counted the quiet of early morning.
Similarblessing, relief, godsend, boon
Oppositecurse, misfortune
6
interjection
Spoken as a sudden exclamation to express surprise, shock, or alarm.
Mercy! I never expected to see you here after all these years.
Mercy, the whole field has flooded overnight.
Similargoodness, heavens, gosh, golly
7
noununcountable
A children's contest in which two players clasp hands and twist each other's arms until one yields.
During recess the kids competed at mercy near the fence.
He never lost at mercy because his grip was so strong.
8
verbtransitive
To treat someone with compassion by pardoning them or dealing with them leniently.
The tribunal decided to mercy the defectors who had surrendered willingly.
He prayed that the court would mercy his brother.
Similarpardon, spare, forgive
Oppositepunish, condemn
9
verbintransitive
To experience an inward feeling of compassion, pity, or forgiveness toward another.
Watching the orphans, the old soldier finally began to mercy.
He could not help but mercy when he heard their story.
Similarsoften, relent

Practice

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Origin

Mercy comes from Middle English mercy, from Anglo-Norman merci, from Latin mercēs ("wages, fee, price"), which itself came from merx ("wares, merchandise"). It replaced the native Old English mildheortnes, literally "mildheartedness," and is related to French merci.