Definition of: merciful

(mûr′sə·fəl) adjective
1. Full of mercy; compassionate.
2. Characterized by or indicating mercy.
—mer′ci·ful·ly adverb
—mer′ci·ful·ness noun Synonyms: benignant, clement, compassionate, forgiving, gentle, gracious, humane, pitiful, pitying, tender, tender–hearted. The merciful man is disposed to withhold or mitigate the suffering even of the guilty; the compassionate man sympathizes with and desires to relieve actual suffering, while one who is humane would forestall and prevent the suffering which he sees to be possible. See CHARITABLE, GOOD, HUMANE, PROPITIOUS.