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Showing results for merciful. Search instead for mercifuln.
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

Lukashenko was suddenly keen on looking merciful and several dozen were released.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

The ash that fell on us for days was but a physical reminder, a merciful one at that, of the destruction just up the road from us.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

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

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2024

Be not merciful unto them that offend of malicious wickedness.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams