having mercy
Granting undeserved forgiveness
Having mercy means showing compassion or forgiveness toward someone you have power over—sparing them punishment, easing their suffering, or granting leniency when you could justly do otherwise.
The judge had mercy on the first-time offender.
To have mercy on someone is to choose kindness over strictness, clemency over retribution.
- pardoningForgiving an offense officially
- divine graceUnmerited favor from deity
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- absolvingReleasing from responsibility
- compassionConcern for others' distress
clemency · charity · sparing · letting go · redemption · second chance · benevolence · grace · leniency · understanding · soft heart · aiding · exoneration · rescuing · empathy · protecting · kindness · reprieve
compassion toward offenders
having mercyholding a grudge
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