mercifully

British  

/ ˈmɜːsɪfʊlɪ /

adverb

1. in a way that shows mercy; compassionately

   mercifully put down

2. (sentence modifier) fortunately; one is relieved to say that

   mercifully, all went well

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Explanation

When you do something mercifully, you do it in a kind, sympathetic, or humane manner. If you're absolutely starving after school, your parents might mercifully bring you a snack to eat on the way to soccer practice. Mercy is the quality of being forgiving or compassionate, and when you act mercifully, you behave in a forgiving or compassionate way. This word is also frequently used to mean "fortunately" or "luckily" — like when a bad movie is mercifully short or a hot day turns into a mercifully cool evening. Mercy and its related forms derive from the Latin word merces, meaning "reward" or "pity."

Example Sentences

Emerging-markets stocks are still beating their U.S. rivals this year, even after a recent bout of volatility triggered a punishing but mercifully short-lived selloff.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

The last of which were recently banned, mercifully if temporarily, in Glendale.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

Maybe all of this chaos will be tidily wrapped up before the end of the month and any fallout will be mercifully avoided.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

The Patriots scored touchdowns on each of their first six possessions before mercifully pulling their starters in the third quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Mother played along nicely, Father looked on stonily, and Ravi was mercifully absent be­cause of a cricket match, which did not prevent him from comment­ing at great length on the event.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel