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 The cold streak for the MLB best home run bets came to a merciful end on Saturday. — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Impermanence turns out to be the cruelest fact and the most merciful one at once. — Dr. Lucy McBride, Time, 8 Aug. 2026 That painful night in Dallas now feels merciful, compared with what this Avs team just experienced. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 27 May 2026 Would a just and merciful God approve of what is happening? — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for merciful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merciful

Adjective

After a patient day of defrosting in the fridge, the best part is the pale green marzipan exterior.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
Work hour restrictions can’t stand up to the competing pressures of completing the necessary number of procedures to become a safe and competent surgeon while covering other patient care duties.

— Arifeen Rahman, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of patient

Adjective

Larger-than-life Halloween celebrations rise up every October like the Great Pumpkin (or a benevolent spooky spirit or two) to captivate visitors with parades, caramel apples, costume contests, and more.

— Michelle Mastro, Midwest Living, 9 Oct. 2026
Promotional images and films conjured a playful, adaptable and benevolent house — plastic as the building block of family happiness.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of benevolent

Adjective

Others discussed overcoming the initial awkwardness of the work and finding satisfaction in helping doctors become more competent and compassionate.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
At the same time, the lawsuits contend that chatbots are pretending to be agreeable and compassionate while preying on the vulnerable and on teenagers, the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of compassionate

Adjective

At the heart of these experiences is the resort’s Master Pathfinder and team of Pathfinders, who act essentially as adventure concierges, gracious hosts, and expert guides.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
No Camas coach would talk (although one, along with a school administrator, was gracious to me), and the boy's mother wouldn't acknowledge my presence Saturday.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of gracious

Adjective

Shapira paints a picture of a kinder, gentler war, where technology takes soldiers away from the trenches and from the tanks, to a chair behind a screen.

— Margaux MacColl, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026
Five days after Bela Bajaria was fired as Netflix‘s Chief Content Officer and replaced by Peter Rice, Ted Sarandos had nothing but kind words for his former loyal lieutenant, kinda.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of kind

Adjective

But for me the wow factor started weeks out with a leisurely but extremely detailed call with a kindly staffer who took down all of our details.

— Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Mo, who arrived by chance among the pirates as an infant, has been brought up by the ship’s kindly captain, Claas.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of kindly

Adjective

Some gentle chemical sunscreens to try include Beauty of Joseon’s Day Dew Sunscreen or the Supergoop!

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
The movie is replete with long moments of silence, intense stares and gentle teasing and probing among the four that can feel particularly electric to some viewers.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gentle

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merciful

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Merciful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merciful. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of merciful

adjective

Example Sentences

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