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Mercy Definition & Meaning

mercy
noun
  1. leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court"
  2. a disposition to be kind and forgiving; "in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband"
  3. the feeling that motivates compassion
  4. something for which to be thankful; "it was a mercy we got out alive"
  5. alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed; "distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy"

"Mercy" in song lyrics

See how mercy is used in real songs:

  • "Know you not that G, you wasn't cursed, see and unworthy for the mercy"
    4th Disciple f/ Killah Priest, Shanghai the Messenger — Devil in Descize
  • "Dear Lord, I thank you for your grace and your mercy"
    50/50 Twin — Turmoil
  • "Lawd have mercy"
    Aceyalone f/ Zulu — Push

Usage tips for "mercy"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "mercy" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for mercy to find words that pair well.

Use "mercy" in a verse

Now that you know what "mercy" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does mercy mean?
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court" a disposition to be kind and forgiving; "in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband" the feeling that motivates compassion something for which to be thankful; "it was a mercy we got out alive" alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed
What part of speech is mercy?
Mercy is a noun.
How many definitions does mercy have?
Mercy has 5 definitions across 1 part of speech (noun).

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