Word
merciful
Phoneticsmer·ci·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɝsɪfəɫ/
UK/mˈɜːsɪfəl/
Definition
adj. showing kindness and forgiveness to someone who could be punished. You use this to describe a person who has the power to be mean but chooses to be nice instead.
adj. showing or exercising compassion or forgiveness toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
Examples
“The judge was merciful and gave the young man a light sentence.”
“After the long battle, the king proved to be a merciful leader by allowing the defeated soldiers to return home safely.”
“The sudden rain was a merciful relief to the farmers who had watched their crops wither under the relentless summer sun for weeks.”
Examples
simple
“The judge was merciful and gave the young man a light sentence.”
contextual
“After the long battle, the king proved to be a merciful leader by allowing the defeated soldiers to return home safely.”
complex
“The sudden rain was a merciful relief to the farmers who had watched their crops wither under the relentless summer sun for weeks.”
Usage
Often used to describe people in positions of authority or events that end suffering.
Etymology
From Middle English merciful, mercyful, equivalent to mercy + -ful. Displaced native Old English mildheort.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/merciful