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

But this was a thorough demolition, Maye completing 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards, five touchdowns and a near-perfect 157 passer rating before a merciful Vrabel yanked him in the third quarter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

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

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in you.

From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar

Vocabulary lists containing merciful

Power Suffix: -ful

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

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