clemency

noun

ˈkle-mən(t)-sē How to pronounce clemency (audio)
Definition of clemencynext
as in mercy
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it the judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun clemency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clemency are charity, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When would charity be a good substitute for clemency?

While the synonyms charity and clemency are close in meaning, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

In what contexts can grace take the place of clemency?

The synonyms grace and clemency are sometimes interchangeable, but grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is it sensible to use leniency instead of clemency?

Although the words leniency and clemency have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When is mercy a more appropriate choice than clemency?

While in some cases nearly identical to clemency, mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clemency New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy speaks before signing an executive order for a new clemency program that will pardon thousands of people as Newark and the nation celebrates Juneteenth on June 19, 2024 in Newark,... —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 Reuters and other news outlets reported that the clemency actions were connected to the prisoner swap. —Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Administration officials say Trump decides on clemency requests after they’re vetted by the White House Counsel’s Office, the White House pardon supervisor and the Justice Department. —Jim Mustian, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 Greg Mingo, a graduate of P.E.I. who received clemency from then Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021, after forty years of incarceration, has spent the time since his release engaged in activism on behalf of the incarcerated and the recently released. —Brooke Allen, New Yorker, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for clemency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clemency
  1. mercy
  2. leniency
Noun
  • Jeff Zients’ role in authorizing this mechanical mercy raises serious ethical concerns.
    — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 2025
  • In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025
Definition of mercy
Noun
  • This comes after Hankison's defense team filed a sentencing memorandum urging the judge for leniency, citing various factors.
    — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 17 July 2025
  • Rollins is viewed in MAGA circles as someone to watch out for on amnesty and immigration leniency.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
Definition of leniency

Browse Nearby Words

clefts
clemency
clement
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clemency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clemency. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on clemency

Nglish: Translation of clemency for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
iykyk if you know you know slang written in a neon
Quiz: Abbreviation Station TFW you have to figure out what 15 abbreviations ...
See All