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mercy
[ mur-see ]
/ ˈmɜr si /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural mer·cies for 4, 5.
compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
OTHER WORDS FOR mercy
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Idioms about mercy
at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: They were at the mercy of their captors.Also at one's mercy.
Origin of mercy
1125–75; Middle English merci<Old French, earlier mercit<Latin mercēd- (stem of mercēs) wages (Late Latin, Medieval Latin: heavenly reward), derivative of merx goods
Words nearby mercy
Other definitions for mercy (2 of 2)
Mercy
[ mur-see ]
/ ˈmɜr si /
noun
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use mercy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for mercy
mercy
/ (ˈmɜːsɪ) /
noun plural -cies
compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc, who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity
the power to show mercyto throw oneself on someone's mercy
a relieving or welcome occurrence or state of affairshis death was a mercy after weeks of pain
at the mercy of in the power of
Word Origin for mercy
C12: from Old French, from Latin mercēs wages, recompense, price, from merx goods
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with mercy
mercy
see at the mercy of.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.