Merciful

/ˈmɜːr.sɪ.fəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Showing compassion or forgiveness to those whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

The merciful queen spared the lives of the captured soldiers.

Characterized by the disposition to show kindness or leniency.

He was merciful in his judgment, understanding the difficult circumstances of the accused.

Relieving from suffering; showing compassion.

The merciful act of providing food and shelter to the homeless was commendable.

Acting with divine compassion or grace.

She prayed for the merciful guidance of her deity during troubled times.

Middle English, from Old French 'mercif', from Latin 'mercedem' which means reward or mercy.

have mercy:

To show compassion or forgiveness.

mercifully spared:

To be saved from something usually unfortunate.

mercy killing:

The act of killing someone painlessly to relieve suffering.

Merciful in a metaphorical sense

It's a merciful thing to let someone go instead of dragging it out.

Used sarcastically to refer to an unexpected act of kindness

Well, look at him being all merciful now.