Mercy is kindness or forgiveness shown to someone who could be punished or harmed. It often means choosing compassion instead of strict justice or revenge.
From Old French “merci” meaning 'pity, thanks, reward', from Latin “merces” or “merced-” 'wages, reward'. Over time, the sense shifted from 'reward' to 'kind favor' and 'compassion'. The religious and moral meaning of sparing someone grew especially strong in Christian contexts.
The same root that gives us 'mercy' once meant 'wages'—what you earn. Mercy flips that logic: you get better treatment than you deserve or have earned. When people cry 'mercy!', they’re literally asking for an unearned change of outcome.
Cultural narratives often associate 'mercy' and compassion with femininity and toughness or retribution with masculinity, shaping expectations about who should forgive or endure harm.
Use 'mercy' without tying it to gendered virtues; acknowledge that people of all genders can show or receive mercy.
["compassion","leniency","clemency"]
Women activists and leaders have led mercy- and clemency-focused movements, including prison reform and restorative justice, often in the face of gendered criticism.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.