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mer·ci·ful
 merciful
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- pronunciation:
- muhr
sih
f
 l
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition: |
compassionate or forgiving; taking pity; showing mercy.
The warden decided to be merciful and reduced the prisoner's punishment.The merciful nuns took care of the sick.His captors were merciful toward him because he was old and sick.- synonyms:
- compassionate
- antonyms:
- cruel, merciless, pitiless, unmerciful
- similar words:
- beneficent, benign, clement, forgiving, gracious, humane, indulgent, kind, lenient, mild, soft-hearted, sparing, sympathetic, tender-hearted
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| related words: |
charitable, easy, gentle, good |
| derivations: |
mercifully (adv.), mercifulness (n.) |
The word merciful
contains the following part:
-ful1
Old English
adjective-forming suffix
that means full of
  More about this word part:
The suffix -ful1 attaches to native English nouns to form adjectives.
Example words:
awful, beautiful, careful, cheerful, colorful, delightful, doubtful, dutiful, faithful, fearful, graceful, harmful, helpful, hopeful, joyful, meaningful, painful, peaceful, plentiful, powerful, purposeful, respectful, skillful, stressful, successful, thankful, thoughtful, wasteful, useful
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