mercy

noun C1

Meaning

Mercy refers to the compassionate treatment of those in distress or the exercise of forgiveness towards individuals who may deserve punishment, reflecting a profound moral and ethical consideration that transcends mere obligation or justice.
💡 While often associated with religious or philosophical contexts, the term "mercy" can sometimes be misused to imply weakness or lack of justice; it is important to recognize its connotation of strength in empathy and moral integrity.

Example Sentences

The company showed mercy by extending the payment deadline for clients .
The judge showed mercy by reducing the defendant's sentence significantly .
The judge showed mercy by reducing the defendant's sentence .

Never forget "mercy"

Set a daily goal, reinforce with word cards and games, and track your progress in the Vocab5000 app — learn every C1 level word permanently with our science-based repetition system.

Vocab5000