clemency

American  

[klem-uhn-see] / ˈklɛm ən si /

noun

plural

clemencies

1. the quality of being clement; disposition to show forbearance, compassion, or forgiveness in judging or punishing; leniency; mercy.

   Synonyms:

   mercifulness, gentleness, forgivingness

   Antonyms:

   harshness

2. an act or deed showing mercy or leniency.

3. (of the weather) mildness or temperateness.

   Antonyms:

   severity

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clemency British  

/ ˈklɛmənsɪ /

noun

1. mercy or leniency

2. mildness, esp of the weather

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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

Explanation

Say you're playing a role-playing game and you end up in one of the other player's dungeons. You could try begging her for clemency — compassion shown by people in power towards people who rebel or break the law. Clemency is also a weather word, though nowadays it's much more common to hear people talk about "inclement weather" than, say, "the clemency of the storm." Derived from the Latin for "gentle", it came into usage in the 1550s. If you have trouble remembering its meaning, get rid of the "cle" and replace the "n" with an "r". You're left with "mercy", which more or less means the same thing.

Example Sentences

Within days of the interview, which was perceived in part as a ploy for clemency by Maxwell, she was moved to a minimum-security camp in Texas.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Milton said that relationship played no role in his trial or clemency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

“That is not unusual in complex cases involving ongoing appeals, potential clemency review, and administrative proceedings.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

After Wood and his attorneys presented their case for sparing Wood’s life, the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency in a 3–2 vote.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

“Have state or federal officials offered you immunity or clemency if you changed your plea?”

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• compassion
• indulgence
• leniency
• mercy