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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Recent Examples of merciful
And the Bills routed the Jets, 40-14, to inch New York one game closer to a merciful end for a miserable season.
—
Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
In truth, the scoreline was merciful on City.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Eventually, the company will miss an earnings target or announce an earnings warning, and, as recent history has shown, the market will not be merciful in its reaction.
—Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The game comes to a merciful end.
—Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Zak Keefer, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
In truth, the scoreline was merciful on City.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Eventually, the company will miss an earnings target or announce an earnings warning, and, as recent history has shown, the market will not be merciful in its reaction.
—Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
The game comes to a merciful end.
—Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for merciful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful
Adjective
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Today, healthcare organizations use AI to improve patient experiences with data gathering and summarization features.—
Maribel Lopez,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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On the days near that peak, patient skywatchers may be treated to a modest but mesmerizing display of shooting stars streaking across the sky.—
Jake Parks,
Discover Magazine,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The music is worshipped, but elsewhere there is an undercurrent of lawlessness and benevolent revolution.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This domino effect is the unintended benevolent effect of the one individual acting in their own self interest.—
Hessie Jones,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Officials expect about 100 prisoners each year will qualify for compassionate release, Buis said.—
Don Thompson,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
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In 2013, Francis garnered headlines for his open-minded stance on homosexuality, a notably compassionate approach compared with the Catholic Church’s historic position on the issue.—
Julyssa Lopez,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Reddit users in the comments section were sympathetic toward the former bridesmaid.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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He’s matched by his frequent scene mate Nevaeh as the sympathetic girlfriend, and Knight as Henry’s drunken, troubled father with secrets.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The draft will be held in Green Bay, and the NFL always brings in collegians who figure to be taken high, so Commissioner Roger Goodell can be the gracious host and hug them after they’re picked.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Apr. 2025
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Rose was gracious as ever after his second straight time finishing second in a major, having lost out at Royal Troon last summer.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Harrell describes her daughter as a kind, sweet child who always sought to do what was right.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
What Lee liked best about playing Go-tak, a seemingly tough guy with a kind heart, was bonding with his fellow actors.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The cast includes Stephen Merchant as the voice of the mouse, Kristen Wiig as a scenery-chewing evil aunt, and Jim Broadbent as a kindly but clueless king.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 Dec. 2024
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In his fourth feature, director Hsiao Ya-Chuan follows the unsentimental education of a motherless 11-year-old boy, Liao Jie (Bai Run-yin), raised in poverty by his kindly father, Liao Tai-lai (Liu Kuan-Ting), a waiter at a busy banqueting hall.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Follow discipline with a calm, comforting debrief Debriefing conversations should be gentle and happen after everyone has calmed down.—
Caroline Fleck, Contributor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
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When using a soothing, gentle and slightly higher-pitched voice, a dog will understand it as nonthreatening and reassuring.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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