merciful
[mur-si-fuh l]
Origin of merciful
Synonyms
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.comkind, clement, lenient, forgiving, benignant, tender, sympathetic.
Antonyms
cruel, relentless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for merciful
Contemporary Examples
Why is Putin feeling so merciful all of a sudden to his political enemies?
All Muslims assert that God is most merciful, most compassionate.
I'd been so irrationally certain of merciful miracles; he was supposed to live forever.
Historical Examples
He was merciful only when you paid for His mercy in advance.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
God will bless them, not because they have earned a reward, but because He is merciful and gracious.
An Explanation of Luther's Small CatechismJoseph Stump
She had re-appeared; it was she herself who now sobbed and besought him to be tender and merciful.
The DreamEmile Zola
Whatever this dreadful secret is, be merciful, and God will bless you!'
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
She will put her hands together and pray you to be merciful.
A Tale of Two CitiesCharles Dickens
merciful
- showing or giving mercy; compassionate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for merciful
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper