Mercy (Noun)
Meaning 1
Leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court".
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The judge showed mercy to the young offender and reduced her sentence.
- He was found guilty but begged for mercy from the judge, hoping for a lighter punishment.
- The family asked for mercy for their loved one who had committed a minor crime due to extenuating circumstances.
- After hearing the defendant's plea for mercy, the prosecutor recommended a more lenient sentence.
- The victims' families sought mercy for the perpetrators, feeling that rehabilitation was a more productive approach than punishment.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 2
Something for which to be thankful; "it was a mercy we got out alive".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- It was a mercy the storm passed quickly without causing too much damage.
- The new highway was a mercy for commuters who had been stuck in traffic for years.
- It was a mercy the fire was contained before it spread to the neighboring buildings.
- The cancellation of the exam was a mercy for students who had not been prepared.
- The warm sunshine was a mercy after the long, cold winter.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
A disposition to be kind and forgiving; "in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband".
Classification
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects.
Examples
- The judge showed mercy to the young offender and gave him a suspended sentence.
- The charity's mission is to provide aid and mercy to those affected by the natural disaster.
- The king's mercy was legendary, and many prisoners were pardoned during his reign.
- The priest prayed for God's mercy to be bestowed upon the souls of the deceased.
- The nurse treated her patients with kindness and mercy, earning their gratitude and respect.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 4
The feeling that motivates compassion.
Classification
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions.
Examples
- The nurse showed mercy to the patient and stayed with her throughout the night, holding her hand and talking softly to comfort her.
- The judge took mercy on the young offender and gave him a lighter sentence, taking into account his troubled past and genuine remorse.
- The charity's mission was to bring mercy to those affected by the natural disaster, providing food, shelter, and medical aid to those in need.
- The doctor's mercy and kindness helped to calm the anxious patient, who was scared of the upcoming surgery.
- The king's mercy was renowned throughout the land, as he was known to pardon even the most hardened criminals if they showed genuine repentance.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 5
Alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed; "distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy".
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- The nurse showed great mercy to the patient, staying by her side throughout the long and difficult night.
- The charity's mission was to provide mercy to those affected by the natural disaster, offering food, shelter, and medical care.
- The judge decided to show mercy to the young offender, giving him a lighter sentence due to his troubled past.
- The volunteers at the animal shelter demonstrated mercy to the abandoned animals, providing them with love, care, and a safe haven.
- The king's mercy was legendary, as he was known for pardoning even the most hardened criminals and giving them a second chance.