merciful

[ mur-si-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of mercy; characterized by, expressing, or showing mercy; compassionate:

   a merciful God.

   Synonyms: sympathetic, tender, benignant, forgiving, lenient, clement, kind

   Antonyms: relentless, cruel

merciful

/ ˈmɜːsɪfʊl /

adjective

1. showing or giving mercy; compassionate

Derived Forms

• ˈmercifulness, noun

Other Words From

• merci·ful·ly adverb
• merci·ful·ness noun
• over·merci·ful adjective
• over·merci·ful·ly adverb
• over·merci·ful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of merciful¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; mercy + -ful

Example Sentences

I waited for one merciful commercial break without a Senate ad as sign I could call it a night, and finally got one just before 2 a.m.

From Slate

He made this claim during an interview with Fox & Friends on Sunday, after co-host Will Cain tried to portray the former president as merciful.

From Salon

They appealed to the Vatican for “merciful relief” in 2021, citing their own mental health, sparking a Vatican investigation that led to Stika’s resignation.

From Seattle Times

Merciful sleep shrouded his senses.

From Literature

“She used to be very kind and merciful. She used to be very sweet with people like that.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charitable
• compassionate
• forgiving
• gracious
• humane
• humanitarian
• kindly
• lenient