mercy

SayMUR-see/ˈmɝsi/UK/ˈmɜːsi/

Pluralmercies (some meanings)

9 meanings of mercy

1
noununcountable
Kindness and forgiveness shown to someone, especially to people who are weaker or in trouble.
Like giving someone a second chance when you could have been hard on them.
The judge showed mercy and gave him a lighter punishment.
She always treats the poor with mercy and patience.
Similarcompassion, pity, sympathy, empathy, commiseration
Oppositecruelty, harshness, severity, ruthlessness
2
noununcountable
A choice not to harm or punish someone when you could.
Like choosing not to hit back when someone is already down.
The soldiers begged for mercy from their captors.
He held back and showed mercy instead of hitting back.
Similarkindness, leniency
Oppositecruelty, ruthlessness, mercilessness
3
noununcountable
The habit of being kind and ready to forgive others.
Like a person who always wants to give others a second chance.
Her mercy made her loved by everyone at school.
The leader was known for his mercy toward his enemies.
Similarcompassion, clemency, leniency, forgiveness, pity
Oppositecruelty, ruthlessness, harshness
4
nouncountable
An act of kindness or forgiveness shown to someone.
Like a kind act that gives someone relief from trouble.
The pardon was a great mercy for the tired prisoners.
Small mercies like these helped them through hard times.
Similarkindness, pardon, reprieve
5
nouncountable
A good thing that you are glad about or thankful for.
Like a piece of good luck that you feel thankful for.
It was a mercy that no one was hurt in the crash.
Having food and shelter is a real mercy in winter.
Similarblessing, relief, godsend, boon
Oppositecurse, misfortune
6
interjection
Said out loud to show surprise, shock, or alarm.
Like saying "Oh my goodness!" when something surprises you.
Mercy! You scared me half to death.
Oh mercy, look at the size of that dog!
Similargoodness, heavens, gosh, golly
7
noununcountable
A game where two kids grip hands and bend each other's arms until one gives up.
Like arm wrestling, but you twist hands until someone says stop.
The boys played mercy until Sam finally gave up.
She won at mercy by twisting his wrist hard.
8
verbtransitive
To forgive someone or punish them less because you feel kindness.
Like letting someone off easy when you could have been hard on them.
The king chose to mercy the rebels rather than execute them.
Good lords, mercy this poor man who knew no better.
Similarpardon, spare, forgive
Oppositepunish, condemn
9
verbintransitive
To feel kindness and a wish to forgive someone.
Like your heart softening when you see someone hurting.
Watching them suffer, she could not help but mercy.
The old judge began to mercy when he heard the boy's story.
Similarsoften, relent

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of mercy apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Anglo-Norman from Latin mercēs, meaning "wages" or "price," which came from merx, meaning "goods."