merciful

/ˈmɜːsɪfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɜːrsɪfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmər-si-fəl/ (ame, mw)

merciful — adjective

  • mercifulpositive
  • more mercifulcomparative
  • most mercifulsuperlative

1. choosing to forgive or treat with kindness those one has the power to punish or

1.形容詞B2
釋義

choosing to forgive or treat with kindness those one has the power to punish or harm

例句

The merciful judge gave Hari community service instead of a prison sentence.

merciful + noun (judge / ruler / king)

Adina begged the headmaster to be merciful and let her son return to school.

be merciful + to + someone

同義詞
  • lenient

    less religious; specifically about reducing a punishment that could be harsher

  • compassionate

    broader; feeling pity, not necessarily having power to punish

  • forgiving

    focuses on the act of pardoning, not on the power gap

反義詞
  • merciless

    the direct opposite — refusing to show any kindness

  • harsh

    general term for severe treatment, not necessarily linked to authority

文法句型

merciful to / toward someone

merciful in doing something

用法筆記

Subject is usually someone in a position of power (judge, ruler, parent, deity, employer). Often used with a contrast clause ("even though…", "despite…") highlighting that punishment was deserved.

常見錯誤

❌The weather was merciful to us today.
✅The weather was kind to us today.
💡'merciful' needs a subject with real authority to punish, not a neutral natural force.

2. fortunate in a way that finally stops pain, worry, or some other bad situation

2.形容詞C1
釋義

fortunate in a way that finally stops pain, worry, or some other bad situation

例句

After hours in the hot sun, the sudden rain was a merciful change.

a merciful + abstract noun (change / relief / end)

Nadia's grandmother died in her sleep, which the family called a merciful ending.

a merciful ending / death — used about peaceful death

同義詞
  • welcome

    neutral about why — just describes something received gladly

  • blessed

    stronger emotional gratitude; can sound religious

  • timely

    emphasises that it comes at the right moment, not that it ends pain

反義詞
  • prolonged

    the unpleasant situation continues instead of ending

  • agonising

    increases suffering rather than ending it

文法句型

a merciful + noun

用法筆記

Almost always attributive ("a merciful X") or with a non-human subject (an event, a silence, a death). Distinguish from sense 1: here no agent is choosing to spare anyone — the situation itself is described as a relief.

常見錯誤

❌The judge was merciful and ended the meeting.
✅The end of the meeting was a merciful relief.
💡in this sense, 'merciful' describes the event, not the person who ends it.