Definitions

clemency

[klem-uhn-see] / ˈklɛm ən si /

NOUN

forgiveness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compassion indulgence leniency mercy

STRONG

charity endurance fairness forbearance gentleness grace humanity justness kindness lenience lenity lifesaver mercifulness mildness moderation sufferance tenderness tolerance toleration

WEAK

caritas equitableness soft-heartedness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cruelty meanness

STRONG

indulgence

WEAK

no mercy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Clemency used to be a consistent failsafe for an often fallible system.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

Clemency petitions are also still pending before Gov. Gavin Newsom.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

Clemency could come in the form of a reduced sentence or even a pardon.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

Obama also launched the Clemency Initiative, which allowed federal prisoners to apply for leniency, especially those serving for nonviolent drug offenses.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2024

Every body admir'd the Elector's Clemency, and whether I did or not, I was fain to do as they did, and to return him Thanks.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume I Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

Vocabulary lists containing clemency

Frankenstein

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The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"

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