merciful
UK /ˈmɜː.sɪ.fl̩/ · US /ˈmɝ.sɪ.fl̩/ adjective
Synonyms
pitiful relentful ruthful clement lenient merciable mercied safe
Antonyms
cruel merciless barbarous bowelless brutal compassionless flagitious demonic despiteful diabolic diabolical fell
Etymology
From Middle English merciful, mercyful, equivalent to mercy + -ful. Displaced native Old English mildheort.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Full of mercy; having or exercising mercy; disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling to punish.
- adjective Unwilling to give pain; compassionate.
Etymology [Mercy + -ful.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “merciful”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details