LENITY Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

lenity

noun

ˈle-nə-tē

Definition of lenity

as in mercy

kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it a social critic who argues that judicial lenity is chiefly to blame for the increased criminality that plagues us

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lenity The majority’s treatment of the rule of lenity also strikes a slightly sour note. — The Insider, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2021 If the rule of lenity applies here, then Butler should not be charged with a hate crime. — Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, 25 Apr. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lenity

Noun

Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
And she has been asked to comment and speak on MANY things over the years … choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people, and shutting down any line of questioning that won’t.

— Hunter Kelly, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mercy

Noun

Whether the changes endure is another question, as similar previous initiatives have quickly run into resistance from clubs who demand greater leniency.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
This year, those leniencies — and big differences in rules from district to district — won’t exist.

— Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of leniency

Noun

According to the official, the White House conducts thorough reviews of all clemency requests, with the president as the ultimate decision-maker.

— Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
Noling, 54, of Alliance, assembled a growing body of evidence — with the support of the Ohio Innocence Project — to present at his clemency hearing.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of clemency

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lenity

lensman

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“Lenity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lenity. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of lenity

noun

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