mercy

mer·cy

M0227600 (mûr′sē)n. pl. mer·cies 1. Compassionate treatment, especially of those under one's power; clemency.2. A disposition to be kind and forgiving: a heart full of mercy.3. Something for which to be thankful; a blessing: It was a mercy that no one was hurt.4. Alleviation of distress; relief: Taking in the refugees was an act of mercy.Idiom: at the mercy of Without any protection against; helpless before: drifting in an open boat, at the mercy of the elements.

[Middle English merci, from Old French, from Medieval Latin mercēs, mercēd-, from Latin, reward.]Synonyms: mercy, leniency, clemency, charity
These nouns mean humane and kind, sympathetic, or forgiving treatment of or disposition toward others. Mercy is compassionate forbearance: "The challenge ... is how to define morally reasonable grounds on which to grant perpetrators mercy and allow them to go free" (Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela).
Leniency implies mildness, gentleness, and often a tendency to reduce punishment: "Even though Grant advocated leniency toward the Confederacy's military leaders, he called for punishment of its political leaders" (Brooks D. Simpson).
Clemency is mercy shown by someone with judicial authority: The judge believed in clemency for youthful offenders. Charity is goodwill and benevolence in judging others: "With malice toward none, with charity for all ... let us strive on to finish the work we are in" (Abraham Lincoln).

mercy

(ˈmɜːsɪ) n, pl -cies1. compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc, who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity2. the power to show mercy: to throw oneself on someone's mercy. 3. a relieving or welcome occurrence or state of affairs: his death was a mercy after weeks of pain. 4. at the mercy of in the power of[C12: from Old French, from Latin mercēs wages, recompense, price, from merx goods]

mer•cy

(ˈmɜr si)

n., pl. -cies. 1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion or benevolence. 2. the disposition or discretionary power to be compassionate or forbearing. 3. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor. 4. something of good fortune; blessing: It was a mercy they weren't hurt. Idioms: at the mercy of, wholly in the power of; subject to. [1125–75; Middle English merci < Old French < Latin mercēd- (s. of mercēs) wages (Late Latin, Medieval Latin: heavenly reward), derivative of merx goods]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	mercy - leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court"clemency, mercifulnesslenience, leniency - lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachersre-sentencing, commutation - (law) the reduction in severity of a punishment imposed by lawfree pardon, pardon, amnesty - the formal act of liberating someonequarter - clemency or mercy shown to a defeated opponent; "he surrendered but asked for quarter"reprieve, respite - the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment
	2.	mercy - a disposition to be kind and forgiving; "in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband"mercifulnesshumaneness - the quality of compassion or consideration for others (people or animals)compassion, pity - the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about itforgivingness, kindness - tendency to be kind and forgivinglenience, leniency, lenity, mildness - mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant
	3.	mercy - the feeling that motivates compassionmercifulnesscompassion, compassionateness - a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's sufferingforgiveness - compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
	4.	mercy - something for which to be thankful; "it was a mercy we got out alive"boon, blessing - a desirable state; "enjoy the blessings of peace"; "a spanking breeze is a boon to sailors"
	5.	mercy - alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed; "distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy"ministration, succor, succour, relief - assistance in time of difficulty; "the contributions provided some relief for the victims"

mercy

noun1. compassion, charity, pity, forgiveness, quarter, favour, grace, kindness, clemency, leniency, benevolence, forbearance Neither side showed its prisoners any mercy.
compassion cruelty, brutality, severity, harshness, inhumanity, pitilessness2. blessing, relief, boon, godsend, piece of luck, benison (archaic) It was a mercy he'd gone so quickly in the end.at the mercy of something or someone1. defenceless against, subject to, open to, exposed to, vulnerable to, threatened by, susceptible to, prey to, an easy target for, naked before, unprotected against Buildings are left to decay at the mercy of vandals and bad weather.2. in the power of, under the control of, in the clutches of, under the heel of servants or slaves were at the mercy of their mastersQuotations
"Yet I shall temper so"
"Justice with mercy" [John Milton Paradise Lost]

mercy

nounKind, forgiving, or compassionate treatment of or disposition toward others:charity, clemency, grace, lenience, leniency, lenity, mercifulness.

Translations

侥幸宽容宽恕幸运怜悯

mercy

(ˈməːsi) – plural ˈmercies – noun1. kindness towards a person, especially an enemy, who is in one's power. He showed his enemies no mercy. 怜悯，宽容 2. a piece of good luck or something for which one should be grateful. It was a mercy that it didn't rain. 侥幸，幸运 ˈmerciful adjective willing to forgive or to punish only lightly. a merciful judge. 仁慈的，宽恕的 ˈmercifully adverb 仁慈地，宽恕地 ˈmerciless adjective without mercy; cruel. merciless criticism.冷酷无情的ˈmercilessly adverb冷酷无情地at the mercy of wholly in the power of, liable to be harmed by. A sailor is at the mercy of the sea.任凭...摆布have mercy on to give kindness to (an enemy etc who is in one's power). Have mercy on me!对...表示怜悯

mercy

→ 宽恕zhCN

mercy

at (someone's) mercy

Under the control of or dictated by the actions of someone else, without the ability to defend or liberate oneself. Please don't report me to the head master. I'm at your mercy! Once the gangsters were able to blackmail Susan, she was at their mercy.See also: mercy

for mercy's sake

A mild oath of surprise, exasperation, annoyance, frustration, or anger. For mercy's sake! I haven't seen you in years! Would you let me finish my story, for mercy's sake? Oh for mercy's sake, I just had the car fixed and now you've put a dent in it!See also: sake

give thanks for small mercies

To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still works, though, so I suppose I should give thanks for small mercies. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye; we're just giving thanks for small mercies that he still has the use of his left one.See also: give, mercy, small, thanks

be thankful for small mercies

To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still works, though, so I guess I should be thankful for small mercies. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye; we're just thankful for small mercies that he still has the use of his left one.See also: mercy, small, thankful

mercy fuck

vulgar slang An act of sex between two people, one of whom pities the other.See also: fuck, mercy

at the mercy of

Subject to the control or actions of a particular person or thing. When you're a minor, you're totally at the mercy of your parents. When you travel by public transportation, you're always at the mercy of the weather. Her fate is at the mercy of the jury—it's their decision now.See also: mercy, of

be at the mercy of (something)

To be subject to the control of a particular person or thing. When you're a minor, you're at the mercy of your parents completely. When you travel by public transportation, you're at the mercy of the weather. Her fate is at the mercy of the jury—it's their decision now.See also: mercy, of

be grateful for small mercies

To appreciate small or minor benefits, advantages, or opportunities one is afforded, particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still works, though, so I guess I should be grateful for small mercies. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye; we're just grateful for small mercies that he still has the use of his left one.See also: grateful, mercy, small

leave (one) to (someone's) tender mercies

To allow one to face the punishment or rebukes of another person who will not show them any mercy, kindness, or sympathy. The phrase is used ironically. I thought it would be best if I spoke to her, rather than leaving her to the principal's tender mercies. I don't have time to deal with this. I'll just leave them to Mrs. Tanner's tender mercies.See also: leave, mercy, tender

throw (oneself) on/at (someone's) mercy

To plead with someone, especially a figure of authority, to show one lenience and mercy. I have no excuse for what I did. I can only throw myself on your mercy and beg for forgiveness. She threw herself at the court's mercy, saying that her dependence on drugs led her to commit those crimes.See also: mercy, on, throw

throw (oneself) on/at the mercy of (someone)

To plead with someone, especially a figure of authority, to show one lenience and mercy. I have no excuse for what I did. I can only throw myself on the mercy of the duke and beg for his forgiveness. She threw herself at the mercy of the court, saying that her dependence on drugs led her to commit those crimes.See also: mercy, of, on, throw

have (someone) at (one's) mercy

To have someone utterly under one's control, to the extent that one can force their actions. Please don't report me to the headmaster. You have me at your mercy! Once the gangsters were able to blackmail Susan, they had her at their mercy.See also: have, mercy

leave (one) to the mercy/mercies of (someone or something)

To allow one to face the punishment or rebukes of something or someone who will not show them any mercy, kindness, or sympathy. I thought it would be best if I spoke to her, rather than leaving her to the mercy of the principal.See also: leave, mercy, of

place (oneself) at (someone's) mercy

1. To plead with someone to show one lenience and mercy. I have no excuse for what I did; I can only place myself on your mercy and beg for forgiveness. She threw herself at the court's mercy, arguing that her dependence on drugs led her to commit those crimes.2. To put control over one's fate into someone else's hand. Anyone participating in the scheme is essentially placing themselves at the government's mercy.See also: mercy, place

thank God for small mercies

To appreciate and be thankful for any benefits, advantages, or opportunities one are afforded, no matter how minor or inconsequential. Used particularly in the midst of an otherwise difficult, frustrating, or unfortunate situation or circumstance. My car's air conditioning stopped working two hours into my cross-country road trip across America. The radio still worked, though—thank God for small mercies. Our son's accident left him without the use of his right eye, but he still has the use of his left one, so we're thanking God for small mercies.See also: god, mercy, small, thank

at the mercy of someone

and at someone's mercyFig. under the control of someone; without defense against someone. We were left at the mercy of the arresting officer. Mrs. Franklin wanted Mr. Franklin at her mercy.See also: mercy, of

throw oneself at the mercy of some authority

and throw oneself on the mercy of some authority; throw oneself (up)on someone's mercyFig. to seek mercy from a court of law, especially at one's sentencing for a crime; to seek help from an official or institution. He pleaded guilty and threw himself at the mercy of the court. It did no good to throw myself on the mercy of the State Department. Please don't! I throw myself upon your mercy!See also: authority, mercy, of, throw

throw oneself on the mercy of

some authority Go to throw oneself at the mercy of some authority.See also: mercy, of, on, throw

at the mercy of

1. Also, at someone's mercy. Subject to the power of, helpless against, as in The captured rebels were at the mercy of the army commander. [Late 1500s] 2. Without any protection against, as in On top of Mount Washington we were at the mercy of the elements. [Late 1600s] See also: mercy, of

leave to someone's tender mercies

Submit to another's power or discretion, especially to an unsympathetic individual. Today this expression is always used ironically, as in We left him to the tender mercies of that stiff-necked, arrogant nurse. It alludes to a biblical passage (Proverbs 12:10): "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." See also: leave, mercy, tender

be grateful for small mercies

be thankful for small mercies

COMMON If you are grateful for small mercies or are thankful for small mercies in a generally bad situation, you are glad about any aspects of it that are good. He is still receiving some money — the modest sum earmarked for young athletes — and is grateful for small mercies. In these difficult times, one can only be thankful for small mercies — that borrowing costs are relatively low. Note: People sometimes say thank heavens for small mercies or thank God for small mercies to show that they are glad about any good aspects of a generally bad situation. She is now serving a 12-month prison sentence and the baby is with her parents. Thank heavens for small mercies.See also: grateful, mercy, small

be thankful (or grateful) for small mercies

be relieved that an unpleasant situation is alleviated by minor advantages.See also: mercy, small, thankful

(be) at the mercy of somebody/something

not be able to stop somebody/something harming you because they have power or control over you: Small businesses are completely at the mercy of the banks these days. ♢ The little ship was at the mercy of the storm.See also: mercy, of, somebody, something

have somebody at your ˈmercy

have somebody completely in your power or under your control: I’ve got you at my mercy now. What shall I do with you?See also: have, mercy, somebody

leave somebody/something to the mercy/mercies of somebody/something

leave somebody/something in a situation that may cause them to suffer or to be treated badly: The soldiers had no choice but to run across open fields, which left them to the mercy of enemy gunners.See also: leave, mercy, of, somebody, something

throw yourself on somebody’s ˈmercy

(formal) put yourself in a situation where you must rely on somebody to be kind to you and not harm or punish you: Throw yourself on the mercy of the court, and they might not send you to prison.See also: mercy, on, throw

be grateful/thankful for small ˈmercies

be happy that a bad situation is not even worse: The thieves took the TV and stereo but didn’t take any jewellery, so let’s be thankful for small mercies.See also: grateful, mercy, small, thankful

at the mercy of

Without any protection against; helpless before: drifting in an open boat, at the mercy of the elements.See also: mercy, of

leave to someone's tender mercies

Literally, kind usage of someone. The phrase “tender mercies” comes from the Bible’s Book of Psalms (25:6), “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and they loving kindnesses.” Since at least 1900 or so the term has been used ironically, as in Stella Rimington’s At Risk (2004): “‘What would you have done if the guy had refused to give back the money?’ ‘Left him to your tender mercies,’ said Liz. . . . ‘We don’t do violence.’”See also: leave, mercy, tender

mercy

mer·cy

mercy

mer•cy

mercy

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mercy

at (someone's) mercy

for mercy's sake

give thanks for small mercies

be thankful for small mercies

mercy fuck

at the mercy of

be at the mercy of (something)

be grateful for small mercies

leave (one) to (someone's) tender mercies

throw (oneself) on/at (someone's) mercy

throw (oneself) on/at the mercy of (someone)

have (someone) at (one's) mercy

leave (one) to the mercy/mercies of (someone or something)

place (oneself) at (someone's) mercy

thank God for small mercies

at the mercy of someone

throw oneself at the mercy of some authority

throw oneself on the mercy of

at the mercy of

leave to someone's tender mercies

be grateful for small mercies

be thankful for small mercies

be thankful (or grateful) for small mercies

(be) at the mercy of somebody/something

have somebody at your ˈmercy

leave somebody/something to the mercy/mercies of somebody/something

throw yourself on somebody’s ˈmercy

be grateful/thankful for small ˈmercies

at the mercy of

leave to someone's tender mercies

mercy

mercy

mercy

mercy

MERCY

mercy

Synonyms for mercy

noun compassion

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noun blessing

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phrase at the mercy of something or someone: defenceless against

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phrase at the mercy of something or someone: in the power of

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Synonyms for mercy

noun kind, forgiving, or compassionate treatment of or disposition toward others

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Synonyms for mercy

noun leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

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noun a disposition to be kind and forgiving

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noun the feeling that motivates compassion

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noun something for which to be thankful

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noun alleviation of distress

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