as in mercy
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it
the defense requested leniency in light of their client's lack of a prior criminal record
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 leniency
Rigetti has a track record of delays, so the market may not afford them much leniency if things go off course.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The new Under Armour agreement eliminates the leniency that had been afforded to women’s basketball in the event of NCAA sanctions.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
However, no one has been executed in South Korea since 1997, and leniency characterizes appeals results.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leniency
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The new Under Armour agreement eliminates the leniency that had been afforded to women’s basketball in the event of NCAA sanctions.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors also agreed to recommend some leniency but Roberts’ sentence is ultimately up to the judge.
—Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
However, no one has been executed in South Korea since 1997, and leniency characterizes appeals results.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leniency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for leniency
mercy
Noun
-
The word itself is defined as mercy or leniency.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
After all, Jesus had just finished praising gentleness, mercy, and peace.—
Emily Chamlee-Wright,
Washington Post,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Leniency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/leniency. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
