MERCIFUL Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

merciful

adjective

Definition of merciful

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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Example Sentences

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 merciful That painful night in Dallas now feels merciful, compared with what this Avs team just experienced. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 May 2026 As the sun began to peek over the hillside, offering a merciful burst of warmth, Alonso Abugattas called this year’s Trillium Trek to order. — Ashley Stimpson, Washington Post, 11 May 2026 Would a just and merciful God approve of what is happening? — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Would Homelander be merciful and spare just this one? — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merciful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful

Adjective

For smaller practices, the development of digital outreach often takes place alongside patient care and routine administrative responsibilities.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Replace its electronic medical record system and improve cybersecurity, staff workflows, patient communications, and information exchange with hospitals, specialists, laboratories, and other care partners.

— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of patient

Adjective

The new movie follows a benevolent ex-pilot named Hig (Jacob Elordi) who, after losing his wife during a catastrophic global pandemic, lives out in the wilderness with his dog, Jasper, and ornery isolationist pal Bangley (Josh Brolin).

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
City leaders agree large, unsupervised gatherings could put kids at risk even if most attendees are there for benevolent reasons.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of benevolent

Adjective

Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The vaccine is being used under a compassionate-use program, which allows a medical product to be used in a serious disease situation even though it has not been specifically approved for that particular use.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of compassionate

Adjective

The gracious master of ceremonies gave me the place of honor in the line-up, directly behind him, with Reiffer and the two shikaris bringing up the rear.

— Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
Walters asks, with a show of reluctance, questions about hillbillies, adolescent development, breast surgeries and her husband — though the singer’s answers are always gracious.

— Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of gracious

Adjective

Pearson, the ministry president, is sympathetic to the people lining up for help.

— Scott Horsley, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
The show was considered an outlier in its generally sympathetic take on Hill and his conservative views, as well as in terms of the agency with which the show’s creators endowed its working- and middle-class characters.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of sympathetic

Adjective

So his church—which has raised many millions of dollars for good causes, and operates a local food pantry and food truck—decided to distribute lawn signs simply encouraging people to be kind.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026
Engler said even in her early days of stardom, Parton was always kind and pleasant.

— Jessica Guay, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of kind

Adjective

But her kindly and supportive cop boyfriend Nick (Brandon Perea) rightly insists that the duo should perhaps move out of the house when Gemma’s habitual nightmares intensify.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Charlotte Stewart’s bold gambit was rewarded with a four-season run as the kindly schoolteacher Eva Beadle-Simms.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of kindly

Adjective

Now imagine that each bead carries a tiny battery that continuously gives it a gentle push along the chain.

— K. R. Prathyusha, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Designed as a therapeutic companion, the robot resembles a baby seal and uses soft fur, gentle movements, and responsive sounds to create the calming presence of a living pet.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of gentle

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mercies

merciful

mercifully

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Style

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

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Synonyms of merciful

adjective

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