Definition Definition

mercy - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'mercy' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Mercy [ n.]
- Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary; clemency.
- Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence.
- Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help.
- A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor.

Meaning of 'mercy' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . mercy [ n]
Meaning (1):
- alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed
Example in sentence:
  • distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy
Meaning (2):
- leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
Example in sentence:
  • he threw himself on the mercy of the court
Meaning (3):
- a disposition to be kind and forgiving
Example in sentence:
  • in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband
Meaning (4):
- something for which to be thankful
Example in sentence:
  • it was a mercy we got out alive