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 the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

For the past six years, Palestinians have been donating food and other essentials to Syrian refugees in the Idlib region bordering Turkey through a non-profit group called Merciful Souls.

From Reuters • Feb. 14, 2022

"Merciful: undeserved kindness instead of punishment," the definition reads.

From Fox News • Mar. 14, 2019

“In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious,” the statement begins.

From New York Times • Jul. 1, 2018

They passed right by Sor Hilda with her hands tucked in her sleeves and her head bowed before the statue of the Merciful Mother.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Vocabulary lists containing merciful

Power Suffix: -ful

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Positive Words to Describe a Person

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

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