Synonyms of clemency

clemency

noun

ˈkle-mən(t)-sē 

as in mercy

kind, gentle, or compassionate treatment especially towards someone who is undeserving of it

the judge chose to show clemency to the truly repentant embezzler

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mercy
• mercifulness
• leniency
• empathy
• compassion
• sympathy
• forbearance
• kindness
• lenity
• grace
• lenience
• charity
• tenderness
• goodness
• quarter
• pity
• generosity
• affection
• humanitarianism
• understanding
• love
• philanthropy
• magnanimity
• goodwill
• gentleness
• meekness
• benevolence
• nobility
• softness
• kindliness
• favor
• humaneness
• mildness
• altruism
• worship
• devotion
• commiseration
• care
• niceness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vengeance
• revenge
• retribution
• ruthlessness
• retaliation
• punishment
• violence
• cruelty
• vindictiveness
• reprisal
• brutality
• savagery
• barbarity
• venom
• virulence
• requital
• discipline
• mercilessness
• vitriol
• sadism
• uncharitableness
• hatred
• viciousness
• savageness
• atrocity
• pitilessness
• malice
• spite
• chastisement
• scolding
• wantonness
• truculence
• hostility
• castigation
• detestation
• hard-heartedness
• abhorrence
• malignity
• hate
• malevolence
• malignancy
• spleen
• loathing
• enmity
• abomination
• meanness
• execration
• antagonism
• antipathy
• jealousy
• maliciousness
• resentment
• animosity
• bitterness
• gall
• bile
• jaundice
• grudge
• rancor
• pique
• nastiness
• hardness
• spitefulness
• roughness
• harshness
• coarseness
• invidiousness
• cattiness
• hatefulness

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun clemency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of clemency are charity, grace, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

When would charity be a good substitute for clemency?

While the synonyms charity and clemency are close in meaning, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

In what contexts can grace take the place of clemency?

The synonyms grace and clemency are sometimes interchangeable, but grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is it sensible to use leniency instead of clemency?

Although the words leniency and clemency have much in common, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When is mercy a more appropriate choice than clemency?

While in some cases nearly identical to clemency, mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of clemency

At the end of his term, Biden granted clemency to 37 of the 40 federal inmates facing death sentences, commuting their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Bar discipline falls outside the reach of such clemency. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2026

The state Constitution explicitly gives the governor the power to grant clemency and commute prison sentences. —Steve Zeidman, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026

Within days of the interview, which was perceived in part as a ploy for clemency by Maxwell, she was moved to a minimum-security camp in Texas. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026