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- pronunciation:
- muhr
si
- phrases:
- at the mercy of
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun), Word History
| part of speech: |
noun |
| inflections: |
mercies |
| definition 1: |
compassion for or lenient treatment of someone over whom one has power, esp. in connection with the administration of justice.
The defendant begged the judge for mercy.The prisoner received mercy from the warden.The school principal showed mercy to the student who stole food from the cafeteria, giving him only a light punishment.After the war, the former enemy treated the vanquished people with mercy.- synonyms:
- clemency
- similar words:
- benevolence, compassion, forgiveness, humanity, indulgence, kindness, leniency, lenity, quarter
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| definition 2: |
compassion for, or kind treatment of, those who are suffering.
Nurses continue to carry out their mission of mercy in the devastated region. |
| definition 3: |
an act of mercy, or the tendency to be merciful.
She thanked the judge for his mercy on behalf of her husband.- synonyms:
- clemency, compassion
- similar words:
- benevolence, forgiveness, indulgence, kindness, leniency, pardon
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| definition 4: |
something to be thankful for; blessing.
It was a mercy that the tornado struck just outside of town.- synonyms:
- blessing
- similar words:
- boon, bounty, gift
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| related words: |
amnesty, charity, good, goodness, grace |
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| phrase: |
at the mercy of |
Mercy comes from a Latin word that means "reward or wages."
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