clemency
Americannoun
plural
clemencies-
the quality of being clement; disposition to show forbearance, compassion, or forgiveness in judging or punishing; leniency; mercy.
- Synonyms:
- mercifulness, gentleness, forgivingness
- Antonyms:
- harshness
-
an act or deed showing mercy or leniency.
-
(of the weather) mildness or temperateness.
- Antonyms:
- severity
noun
-
mercy or leniency
-
mildness, esp of the weather
Usage
what does clemency mean? Clemency is mercy or the quality of being lenient.Clemency is most commonly used in a legal context for situations in which a prisoner is officially pardoned or has their sentence shortened.Example: The governor has granted her clemency, meaning she will be released early.
Other Word Forms
- overclemency noun
Etymology
Origin of clemency
1375–1425; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin clēmentia. See clement, -cy
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.
Supporters maintain that clemency can serve as a tool for national reconciliation.
From Salon
For Binance, it was the culmination of a nearly yearlong effort to pursue clemency for its founder.
Gana, the securities attorney, added that he will continue to fight for victims in civil court, noting the clemency only addressed the criminal conviction.
From Los Angeles Times
Its old meaning was an act of clemency extended by a legal authority in recognition of a convicted person’s contrition and commitment to reform.
His clemency grants have gone far past that group in recent months.
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.
