adjective

merciful

merciful, compassionate, forgiving

The king was a merciful ruler.

The king was a merciful ruler.

She was merciful to her enemies.

She was merciful to her enemies.

merciful ((to sb.)) showing mercy to (sb.). She was merciful to her enemies.

Synonyms: compassionate, forgiving, kind; Antonyms: merciless, cruel

From 'mercy' + '-ful' (full of). 'Mercy' comes from Latin 'merces' (payment, reward, pity).

Someone who is 'merciful' is 'full of mercy'.

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