mercy
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for mercy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Kindness or forgiveness shown toward someone who could reasonably be punished or treated harshly instead.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use mercy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
show mercy
beg for mercy
a mercy killing
have mercy on
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman merci, from Latin mercedem ("wages" or "reward"), which also produced the French word merci ("thank you").
Full origin of mercy →Frequently asked questions
What does “mercy” mean?
The word “mercy” means kindness or forgiveness shown toward someone who could reasonably be punished or treated harshly instead. In plain terms, compassion shown to someone who might otherwise be punished, or a stroke of luck given how bad things could have been.
How do you pronounce “mercy”?
“Mercy” is pronounced MUR-see (/ˈmɝsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “mercy” in a sentence?
Here is “mercy” used in a sentence: “The general showed mercy to the surrendering soldiers.”
What part of speech is “mercy”?
Depending on how it is used, “mercy” can be a noun and an intj.
Where does the word “mercy” come from?
The word “mercy” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman merci, from Latin mercedem ("wages" or "reward"), which also produced the French word merci ("thank you").
Is “mercy” a common word?
“Mercy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “mercy” have?
“Mercy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: kindness or forgiveness shown toward someone who could reasonably be punished or treated harshly instead.
What is the difference between mercy and pity?
Mercy is kindness or forgiveness shown toward someone who could reasonably be punished or treated harshly, usually by someone with the power to punish. Pity is simply feeling sorrow for another's suffering, so mercy involves an action such as withholding punishment, while pity is an emotion.
What is the difference between mercy and grace?
Both involve kindness, but mercy is withholding a punishment that could justly be given, while grace is giving a favour or kindness that is not deserved. Put simply, mercy spares and grace gives.
What is the difference between mercy and compassion?
Compassion is a deep sympathy for another's suffering and a wish to relieve it, while mercy is specifically the act of forgiving or sparing someone who could be punished. You can feel compassion without having the power or occasion to show mercy.
