as in patient
showing kindness and forgiveness instead of harshness or cruelty especially to someone under one's authority or control
When our English teacher caught us cheating, we prayed he would be merciful in deciding our punishment.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of merciful
Would Homelander be merciful and spare just this one?
—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Ever since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in January, the only reprieve from this slog of a campaign has been the promise of a swift, merciful end.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Guthrie and her siblings recorded videos, pleading for news, for help, for a merciful change of heart from whoever had absconded with their mom.
—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.
—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Ever since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in January, the only reprieve from this slog of a campaign has been the promise of a swift, merciful end.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Guthrie and her siblings recorded videos, pleading for news, for help, for a merciful change of heart from whoever had absconded with their mom.
—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.
—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
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These rules aim to put patient interests ahead of profit motives.
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Success will depend less on constructing facilities than on securing long-term buyers, trusted regulators, technology transfer, and patient capital that can sustain long-term production.
Adjective
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The teaser also offers glimpses of Vincent Lindon as Jean Valjean, the ex-convict who rebuilds his life as a benevolent industrialist, and Tahar Rahim as Inspector Javert, Valjean’s relentless nemesis.
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Even though there are other siblings in the Fak family that make an appearance on The Bear, these brothers take center stage for their occasional quarreling and their benevolent behavior toward each other.
Adjective
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Weeks’ mother described her daughter as passionate about music and justice, witty and compassionate.
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Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
Adjective
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Thanks to a gracious group of Team Algeria soccer supporters, the city of Lawrence will forever have a reminder of its role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The axe came down swiftly and brutally, but, speaking candidly, Geoff Daniels, PBS’ Vice President, Programming & Development, was gracious about it, thanking the audience of mostly media industry people for their camaraderie.
Adjective
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The most remarkable performance in the film, however, may be that of real-life counselor Annette Deao, whose firm hand and sympathetic guidance lend Union County its stoic nature.
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Ever since Hayden Herrera published her landmark biography of Frida in 1983, Kahlo has been perceived as a sympathetic figure.
Adjective
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Inside is super-clean and nice, and the servers were very kind and attentive.
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The two brothers have had nothing but kind things to say about each other, and have managed to fend off any chatter about a sibling rivalry.
Adjective
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Even the kindly Florida manatee, connoisseur of bayou seagrass, sometimes flies into a carnivorous rage, snapping up fish and gnashing them in its terrible teeth.
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The show sends Pride & Prejudice‘s resident frump (a charming Ella Bruccoleri) on a journey of self-discovery filled with kindly relatives, enormous books, lavish balls and, yes, eligible suitors.
Adjective
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Cancer June 21 – July 22 A gentle calm steadies your choices now.
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Ceconi recommends looking for detergents that are gentle and pH neutral to enhance the preservation of fiber softness.
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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