# mercy

/ˈmɝsi/ (US) · /mˈɜːsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mercy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. forgiveness or kindness

noun · CEFR B2

kindness or forgiveness shown to someone who has done something wrong or who you have the power to punish.

For teachers: compassion or forbearance shown toward an offender or an adversary who is within one's power to punish or harm.

- The prisoner begged the judge for mercy during the trial.
- The king showed mercy to the rebels, choosing to exile them rather than carry out the death sentences originally decreed.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'show', 'grant', or 'beg for'.

### 2. a lucky event

noun · CEFR B2

something good or lucky that happens, especially when things are otherwise difficult.

For teachers: a fortunate circumstance or a blessing for which one is grateful, often in the context of a larger misfortune.

- It was a mercy that no one was hurt in the car accident.
- After a week of intense heat, the sudden rain was a small mercy that allowed the farmers to save their remaining crops.

## Examples

- The judge showed mercy and gave him a light sentence.
- The soldiers showed mercy to their prisoners, providing them with food and medical care despite the ongoing conflict.
- In many classical tragedies, the protagonist pleads for a mercy that the rigid laws of the state cannot provide, creating a tension between justice and human compassion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.