merciful Definition
- 1showing or giving mercy; forgiving
- 2having or showing compassion
Using merciful: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "merciful" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The judge was merciful and gave him a lighter sentence.
Example
She showed a merciful attitude towards her enemies.
Example
He prayed for a merciful death.
Example
The captain was merciful and spared the enemy soldiers.
merciful Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for merciful
Antonyms for merciful
Phrases with merciful
in a way that shows or gives mercy; fortunately
Example
Mercifully, the storm passed without causing any damage.
Example
In times of trouble, people often turn to a merciful God for help.
Example
After years of battling cancer, she finally found a merciful release.
Origins of merciful
from Old French 'mercier', meaning 'to have mercy'
Summary: merciful in Brief
The term 'merciful' [ˈmɜrsɪfəl] describes a person or action that shows or gives mercy, forgiveness, or compassion. It can be used in various contexts, such as legal judgments, personal attitudes, or prayers, as in 'The judge was merciful and gave him a lighter sentence.' 'Merciful' also appears in phrases like 'mercifully,' indicating a fortunate outcome, and 'merciful God,' referring to a deity believed to be compassionate.