as in mercy
kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it
a social critic who argues that judicial lenity is chiefly to blame for the increased criminality that plagues us
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Recent Examples of lenity
Twelve judges sided with Cargill and concluded that the definition of machine gun was ambiguous enough to invoke a legal principle known as the rule of lenity, which requires courts to interpret unclear criminal laws in a way that's most favorable to the defendant.
—
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024
The majority’s treatment of the rule of lenity also strikes a slightly sour note.
—The Insider, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021
If the rule of lenity applies here, then Butler should not be charged with a hate crime.
—Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, 25 Apr. 2017
Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024
The majority’s treatment of the rule of lenity also strikes a slightly sour note.
—The Insider, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021
If the rule of lenity applies here, then Butler should not be charged with a hate crime.
—Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, 25 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenity
Noun
-
Without a free press, Cuba’s history and memory were at the mercy of power.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
-
Only God at this time can have mercy on her soul.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Clemency and leniency can be virtues, but only when the offender has shown a willingness to change or is part of some disadvantaged group.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
18 May 2026
-
This is one of many instances throughout the interview where Haymon appeared to demonstrate a strong preference for leniency if elected.—
Rafael Perez,
Daily News,
15 May 2026
Noun
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After clemency was denied, Glossip’s attorneys filed for a stay of execution with the Supreme Court.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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On Friday, Polis said in her clemency application Peters admitted to making a mistake, which is not something she's publicly stated.—
Bente Birkeland,
NPR,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenity. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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