Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for merciful. Search instead for mercifu.
Definitions

merciful

[mur-si-fuhl] / ˈmɜr sɪ fəl /
ADJECTIVE
kind, sparing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charitable compassionate forgiving gracious humane humanitarian kindly lenient
WEAK
all heart beneficent benign benignant bleeding heart clement condoning easygoing feeling forbearing generous gentle heart in right place indulgent liberal mild pardoning pitiful pitying soft softhearted sympathetic tender tenderhearted tolerant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cruel hard harsh hateful inhumane mean merciless severe uncompassionate ungiving unkind unsympathetic
WEAK
unforgiving unmerciful

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.

The end arrived in the sixth round, Joshua knocking Paul to the floor and Young waving the farce to a merciful conclusion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

After lingering off the coast of Florida hoping for a merciful decision from Washington, the St. Louis and its passengers returned to Europe, where the Nazis were on the march.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2025

But it takes even more courage to be merciful to people who do not deserve it.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2024

The merciful lack of damage gave them free range to make light of the quake, or ignore it altogether.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2024

Florence had scarcely ever spoken to her before she arrived at this merciful unpopularity; but Elizabeth had noticed Florence.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin