CLEMENCY Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'clemency' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clemency are charity , grace , leniency , and mercy . While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing. // the judge refused to show clemency

Q: When would 'charity' be a good substitute for 'clemency'?

While the synonyms charity and clemency are close in meaning, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others. // show a little charity for the less fortunate

Q: In what contexts can 'grace' take the place of 'clemency'?

The synonyms grace and clemency are sometimes interchangeable, but grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions. // by the grace of God

Q: When is it sensible to use 'leniency' instead of 'clemency'?

Although the words leniency and clemency have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing. // criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Q: When is 'mercy' a more appropriate choice than 'clemency'?

While in some cases nearly identical to clemency , mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it. // threw himself on the mercy of the court

clemency

noun

ˈkle-mən(t)-sē

Definition of clemency next

as in mercy

kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it the judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun clemency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clemency are charity, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When would charity be a good substitute for clemency?

While the synonyms charity and clemency are close in meaning, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

In what contexts can grace take the place of clemency?

The synonyms grace and clemency are sometimes interchangeable, but grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is it sensible to use leniency instead of clemency?

Although the words leniency and clemency have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When is mercy a more appropriate choice than clemency?

While in some cases nearly identical to clemency, mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

Examples of clemency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Absent such charges, and with the Manning outrages discounted by Obama’s clemency and fading memories, the chance that Assange would be prosecuted became increasingly remote. —

The Editors, National Review, 26 June 2024 Gutierrez's execution has previously been set six times and then postponed over mostly clerical errors − a process that amounts to torture, his attorney argues in a petition for clemency that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied on Friday. —

Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024 To that effect, Ford announced a clemency program for Vietnam War deserters and draft evaders, invited prominent feminists and Black lawmakers to personal meetings in the White House, and appointed as his vice president the standard bearer for liberal Republicans, Nelson Rockefeller. —

Ben Bradford / Made By History, TIME, 16 July 2024 The bigger picture: This is one of the nation’s most sweeping acts of clemency involving cannabis. —

Jamie Ross, Washington Post, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for clemency

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clemency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Articles Related to clemency

Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week -...

Dictionary lookups from Jacob Chansley, Julius Jones, Malcolm X, Gosar, and a fentanyl seizure.

The Words of the Week - 2/21/20

Some of the words that defined the week of February 21, 2020

Merriam-Webster's Words of the Year 2019

Our Word of the Year 'they,' plus 10 more

Cite this Entry

Style

“Clemency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clemency. Accessed 16 Sep. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 28 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

nebula

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of clemency

noun

Synonym Chooser

Examples of clemency in a Sentence

Thesaurus Entries Near clemency

Cite this Entry