mercy
Translation
mercy, compassion, clemency
Examples
He showed no mercy to his enemies.
He showed no mercy to his enemies.
She begged for mercy.
She begged for mercy.
It's a mercy that nobody was seriously hurt.
It's a mercy that nobody was seriously hurt.
Grammar Patterns
to show ((mercy)) ((to sb.)) The judge showed mercy to the prisoner.
to beg for ((mercy)) The captive begged for mercy.
at the ((mercy)) of ((sb./sth.)) The small boat was at the mercy of the storm.
Similar Words
Synonyms: compassion, clemency; Antonyms: cruelty, ruthlessness
Etymology
From Latin 'merces' meaning 'wages, reward', which in Late Latin came to mean 'pity, favor'.
Memory Tips
Imagine someone crying 'Have mercy on me!' to remember its meaning of compassion.