mercy
Sparing the condemned
Mercy is compassion shown by someone who has authority or power over someone who does not.
In this meaning it is often used in religious contexts.
As an exclamation, mercy is typically used by older speakers as a spontaneous expression of dismay or shock.
It is probably a shortening of “Lord have mercy.”
Official release from punishment
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- reprievePostponement of punishment
acquittal · exoneration · remission · commutation · condonation · indulgence · forbearance · leniency
Mildness in punishment
- mitigationReduction of severity
- commutationSubstitution of penalties
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
extenuating · discretion · plea · tribunal · appeal · parole · probation · suspended sentence
Effortless beauty of motion
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- providenceDivine protective care
favor · covenant · righteousness · sanctification · atonement · intercession · supplication · absolution
Sharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
caring · warmth · understanding · benevolence · humaneness · sensitivity · concern · consideration
Ask with desperation
- imploreUrge with desperation
- beseechPlead urgently with someone
- supplicationHumble plea for help
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
Disposition toward doing good
- magnanimityGenerous, noble spirit
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
- humanitarianismPromoting welfare through compassion
nobility · graciousness · selflessness · philanthropy · goodness · righteousness · loving-kindness · charitable
pardon
Official release from punishment
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
reprieve · acquittal · exoneration · remission · commutation · condonation · indulgence · forbearance · leniency · mitigation
leniency
Mildness in punishment
- mitigationReduction of severity
- commutationSubstitution of penalties
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
sentencing · extenuating · discretion · plea · tribunal · appeal · parole · probation · suspended sentence · humanitarian
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
providence · favor · covenant · righteousness · sanctification · atonement · intercession · supplication · absolution · benediction
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
gentleness · caring · warmth · understanding · benevolence · humaneness · sensitivity · concern · consideration · solicitude
beg
Ask with desperation
- imploreUrge with desperation
- beseechPlead urgently with someone
- supplicationHumble plea for help
entreaty · cry · appeal · petition · intercession · quarter · spare
benevolence
Disposition toward doing good
- magnanimityGenerous, noble spirit
- generosityReadiness to give freely
- altruismPrioritizing others' wellbeing
humanitarianism · nobility · graciousness · selflessness · philanthropy · goodness · righteousness · loving-kindness · charitable · beneficence
- chivalryknighthood, knights, chivalry, medieval knights, honor
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, grace, pardon
- gentle qualitiesgentleness, softness, kindness, tenderness, calmness
- giving upgive up, giving up, quit, quitting, surrender
- Goodnesskindness, charity, compassion, generosity, goodwill
- have a heartplease, pity, take pity, spare me, I beg you
mercycruelty
Deliberate harm-causing disposition
mercilessness · ruthlessness · brutality · pitilessness · harshness
mercymalice
Intent to cause harm
malevolence · spite · cruelty · remorselessness · hatred
mercyvengeance
Retaliation for injury
retribution · revenge · punishment · retaliation · justice
- no mercyComplete absence of clemency
- at the mercy ofDefenseless before another's power
- have mercyShow compassion, forgive
- beg for mercyPlead for compassionate treatment
- lord have mercyExclamation seeking divine compassion
- mercy killingPainless death for suffering
commerce, merchant, merciful, merciless, mercenary, mercies, mercifully, mercilessly, unmerciful