merciful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'merciful' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something who is kind and forgiving, or someone who shows mercy. Example sentence: The merciful judge commuted the prisoner's sentence from life in prison to home confinement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

At the very least it provides a merciful full stop on a period of profound deceleration since the false summit of the summer of 2012, when he capped his best season to date with a memorable back-heel scuff-flick winner against Sweden in Kiev, the high point of England's most energetic half-hour of an otherwise moribund European Championship.

The Guardian - Sport

A 7th consecutive season without playoffs, a second consecutive one that was spirit crushingly bad comes to a merciful end and it's just a question of 17th or 18th place.

The Guardian - Sport

For Steven Finn this was closer to a merciful release after 11 weeks on tour without playing an international match and some clear evidence in practice last week in Melbourne that the world's No3 ranked one-day international bowler has regressed to a state where he is un-selectable.

The Guardian - Sport

As noted above, it is unusual for the UK financial sector to be so merciful and short-termist: business as usual will no doubt be resumed before too long.

The Guardian - Business

So the football gods can be merciful.

The Guardian - Sport

Be merciful, great Sultan If not now, when?

The Economist

In one field, however, he has been merciful: that of autobiography.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Far from having no (positive) attributes, as some Vedantins maintain, Brahman is the sum of all "noble attributes"—omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and all-merciful.

SEP

Each of the infinite words articulated in the All-Merciful Breath discloses Being in a limited form.

SEP

Just as we create words and sentences in the substratum of breath, so God creates the universe by articulating words in the Breath of the All-Merciful (nafas al-rahmân), which is the deployment of existence (inbisât al-wujûd); indeed, existence itself is synonymous with mercy (rahma).

SEP

It was noted that one of Ibn 'Arabî's cosmological schemes describes the universe in terms of twenty-eight letters that articulate words in the All-Merciful Breath.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merciful" to describe actions or decisions that reflect compassion and a willingness to reduce suffering or punishment. It's effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "merciful" when you actually mean "fortunate" or "lucky". "Merciful" implies a deliberate act of compassion, whereas "fortunate" suggests luck or good fortune. For example, instead of saying "It was merciful that the rain stopped", say "It was fortunate that the rain stopped".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "merciful" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something exhibiting compassion, forgiveness, or leniency. Ludwig AI confirms that "merciful" is correctly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merciful" is a versatile adjective used to describe acts or entities characterized by compassion and forgiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use in English. Its presence is notable across News & Media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. While semantically close to "compassionate", "lenient", and "forgiving", "merciful" specifically highlights the act of showing compassion, especially when in a position of power. Remember to use "merciful" when you truly mean a showing of compassion rather than general good fortune.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compassionate

Emphasizes a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for someone struck by misfortune, often accompanied by a desire to alleviate suffering.

lenient

Focuses on being permissive or tolerant, especially in the application of rules or punishments.

forgiving

Highlights the act of pardoning someone for an offense and ceasing to feel resentment toward them.

clement

Suggests mildness or gentleness, often in the context of weather or a person's behavior.

benevolent

Implies a desire to do good to others; characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings.

charitable

Highlights generosity and willingness to give help or donate to those in need.

gracious

Emphasizes courtesy, kindness, and elegance of manner.

humane

Focuses on showing compassion or consideration for other human beings or animals.

pitying

Highlights the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering of others.

sympathetic

Expresses feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use "merciful" in a sentence?

You can use "merciful" to describe someone or something that shows compassion or forgiveness. For example, "The judge was "merciful" and reduced his sentence."

What's a good alternative to "merciful"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "compassionate", "lenient", or "forgiving". Each of these emphasizes a slightly different aspect of showing kindness.

Is it correct to say "a merciful death"?

Yes, "a merciful death" is a common expression, often used to describe a death that ends prolonged suffering. It implies that the death was a compassionate release from pain.

What's the difference between "merciful" and "kind"?

"Kind" generally refers to a gentle and considerate nature. "Merciful" specifically implies showing compassion or forgiveness, especially when one has the power to punish or inflict harm. One can be generally kind, but "merciful" implies a more targeted act of compassion in a specific situation.