clemency

[ klem-uhn-see ]

noun

, plural clem·en·cies.

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

clemency

/ ˈklɛmənsɪ /

noun

1. mercy or leniency
2. mildness, esp of the weather

Other Words From

• over·clemen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clemency¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin clēmentia. See clement, -cy

Word History and Origins

Origin of clemency¹

C15: from Latin clēmentia, from clēmēns gentle

Example Sentences

"Throughout his campaign, President-elect Trump made multiple clemency promises to the January 6 defendants, particularly to those who were nonviolent participants," the filing said.

From Salon

What happens next could lead either to a re-scheduled execution or an ultra-rare act of clemency in the state that leads the way for capital punishment in the US.

From BBC

Earlier this week, Texas' Board of Pardon and Paroles denied Roberson's clemency petition, voting 6-0 against recommending that his death sentence be delayed or commuted to life in prison.

From BBC

On Wednesday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected his clemency pleas.

From Salon

Ultimately, prosecutors could also choose to support clemency, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compassion
• indulgence
• leniency
• mercy

More About Clemency

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.

Where does clemency come from?

The first evidence of the use of clemency in the English language comes from around 1400. It derives from the Latin clementia, which comes from the Latin clēmēns, meaning “gentle” or “merciful.”

Clemency has always been used to mean “mercifulness” or “mildness,” especially that of someone who holds power or authority, like a king or queen. Such a person could be said to have shown clemency if, for example, they could have had someone punished but did not.

This is how the term is used today. In law and criminal justice, clemency refers specifically to an executive official (like a president or governor) officially granting mercy to someone who has been convicted of a crime. This can take several forms, including a pardon (in which the crime is forgiven and the punishment is cancelled), a reprieve (in which the convicted person is given additional time before their punishment takes effect), or the commutation of a sentence (in which the punishment is reduced in some way).

Much more rarely, the word clemency is used to refer to mild weather. A much more commonly used form of this word is inclement, which is used to describe bad weather.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of clemency?

• clement (adjective)
• overclemency (noun)
• inclemency (noun)

What are some synonyms for clemency?

• mercy
• leniency
• mercifulness
• compassion
• mildness

What are some words that share a root or word element with clemency? 

• inclement

What are some words that often get used in discussing clemency?

• pardon
• lenient
• reprieve
• commutation
• justice
• sentence

How is clemency used in real life?

Clemency is most often used in the context of criminal justice.

So happy to hear 11 people were granted clemency last week. I can’t imagine what that must feel like.
Keep them coming!

— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) February 25, 2020

Too often, victims of human trafficking are pulled into a vicious cycle of crime.

That’s why TX is announcing an initiative to help survivors apply for clemency with the opportunity to receive a full pardon.

We are empowering survivors so they may find a second chance at life. pic.twitter.com/8pTMl3R54e

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 21, 2020

Today is the Roger Stone sentencing. Here is what I will be watching for beyond the amount of prison time he gets: What words does Judge Amy Berman Jackson use in sentencing him—knowing as she speaks that she may be scripting a presidential clemency drama?

— Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) February 20, 2020

 

 

Try using clemency!

Is clemency used correctly in the following sentence?

New pathways to clemency mean that some prisoners will have the opportunity to be released early.