merciful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of merciful
Explanation
Use the adjective merciful to describe someone who has compassion for other people, especially when he is in a position to punish them or treat them harshly. If you're caught cheating on a math test, your best hope is that your teacher will be merciful, or that she will forgive you for what you've done. Forgiving someone or relieving a person's pain are both merciful acts. The word merciful also has religious connotations which come from the root word mercy, used since the 12th century to mean "God's forgiveness of his creatures' offenses." The origin is the Old French merci, "pity or thanks."
Vocabulary lists containing merciful
Power Suffix: -ful
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Positive Words to Describe a Person
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Lee's General Order No. 9: A Farewell Address
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate.
From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023
And now, adding to their woes, giant charity meals that are traditionally offered to the poor throughout Ramadan — known as Banquets of the Merciful — have been canceled.
From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2020
"Merciful: undeserved kindness instead of punishment," the definition reads.
From Fox News • Mar. 14, 2019
“You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from a consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a Merciful God will extend to you His blessings and protection.”
From Slate • Apr. 9, 2015
They passed right by Sor Hilda with her hands tucked in her sleeves and her head bowed before the statue of the Merciful Mother.
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
