clemency

noun

clem·​en·​cy ˈkle-mən(t)-sē How to pronounce clemency (audio)
plural clemencies
1
a
: disposition to be merciful and especially to moderate the severity of punishment due
The judge ignored the prisoner's pleas for clemency.
b
: an act or instance of leniency
The governor's clemencies saved the lives of many death-row prisoners.
2
: pleasant mildness of weather
The fair was a great success, owing to the clemency of the weather.
Choose the Right Synonym for clemency

mercy, charity, clemency, grace, leniency mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion.

mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Examples of clemency in a Sentence

The President has granted clemency to several people this month. the judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler
Recent Examples on the Web The only way people who lost their voting rights due to felony convictions can have their voting rights restored is if a judge grants them clemency, Uggen said. Daniel Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 21 Oct. 2024 On Wednesday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously declined to recommend clemency to Abbott, who has the authority to commute death sentences. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024 Earlier Wednesday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to recommend clemency after his attorneys requested his death sentence be commuted to a lesser penalty – or that the inmate be granted a 180-day reprieve to allow time for his appeals to be argued in court. Dakin Andone, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 The clemency recipients detailed in the article included former White House advisor Steve Bannon, the rapper Kodak Black, investment fraudster Eliyahu Weinstein, the robber Jamie Davidson, and counterfeit energy drink scammer Adriana Camberos. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 Oct. 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.

Word History

Etymology

see clement

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clemency was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near clemency

Cite this Entry

“Clemency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clemency. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clemency

noun
clem·​en·​cy ˈklem-ən-sē How to pronounce clemency (audio)
plural clemencies
1
: disposition to be merciful
2
: an act or instance of mercy

Legal Definition

clemency

noun
clem·​en·​cy ˈkle-mən-sē How to pronounce clemency (audio)
plural clemencies
1
: willingness or ability to moderate the severity of a punishment (as a sentence)
2
: an act or instance of mercy, compassion, or forgiveness see also amnesty, commute, pardon, reprieve

More from Merriam-Webster on clemency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!