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.

In America, Presbyterians preached salvation from sin through the grace of a merciful God.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Unfortunately at this point most in the audience will be hoping that the play itself will soon come to a merciful end.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

"There will never be the likes of him again, such a wonderful, merciful, very understanding pope and we pray for him. He died at a lovely time of the year."

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2025

“I think Pope Francis encouraged all of us to be merciful, to practice that divine mercy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

All I wondered was how, in the name of Heaven and a merciful God, was I going to make it through the hours ahead.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing merciful

Power Suffix: -ful

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Lee's General Order No. 9: A Farewell Address

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