clemency
Pardoning a convict
Clemency is mercy or leniency, especially from someone in authority who could impose harsher treatment.
A governor grants clemency to a death row inmate by commuting the sentence.
A judge shows clemency by giving probation instead of prison.
The word implies the power to punish fully but choosing restraint: The defendant's family pleaded for clemency.
Official release from punishment
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
reprieve · amnesty · commutation · absolution · forbearance · indulgence · benevolence · kindness
Official release from punishment
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- commutationSubstitution of penalties
- reprievePostponement of punishment
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
exoneration · absolution · remission · discharge · release · stay of execution · sentence reduction · presidential pardon
Gentle, moderate quality
- temperatenessState of restraint
- balminessGentle atmospheric warmth
- pleasantnessQuality of being agreeable
- fairnessJust and equal treatment
warmth · calmness · gentleness · moderation · clear skies · temperate
pardon
Official release from punishment
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- compassionConcern for others' distress
grace · reprieve · amnesty · commutation · absolution · forbearance · indulgence · benevolence · kindness · pity
pardon
Official release from punishment
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- commutationSubstitution of penalties
- reprievePostponement of punishment
acquittal · exoneration · absolution · remission · discharge · release · stay of execution · sentence reduction · presidential pardon · petition
mildness
Gentle, moderate quality
- temperatenessState of restraint
- balminessGentle atmospheric warmth
- pleasantnessQuality of being agreeable
fairness · warmth · calmness · gentleness · moderation · clear skies · temperate
- clemencypardon, amnesty, reprieve, commutation, presidential pardon
- justicecourtroom, trials, retributive justice, courts, gavel
- legallawyer, judge, jury, trial, verdict
- prisoncell block, inmate, jail, prison, prisoner
- compassionsympathy, empathy, caring, kindness, tenderness
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
clemencyseverity
Intensity of sternness
mercilessness · ruthlessness · strictness · harshness · rigor
clemencymalice
Intent to cause harm
cruelty · spite · spitefulness · malevolence · meanness
clemencyinclemency
Harsh weather conditions
harshness · severity · storminess · roughness · foulness
- executive clemencyLeader's power to forgive crimes
- clemency hearingProceeding to consider mercy