noun

clemency

KLEH-muhn-see

noun

Mercy or leniency shown toward someone who could rightfully be punished.

"The judge showed clemency and reduced his sentence."

"Activists petitioned the governor for clemency on behalf of the prisoner."

An official act reducing or cancelling a legal punishment, such as a pardon.

"The governor granted clemency just hours before the execution date."

How to Use Clemency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing merciful, especially by softening or cancelling a punishment someone deserved.

Common pairings

grant clemency show clemency a plea for clemency

clemencies plural

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The judge showed _____ and reduced his sentence.

From Latin clementia, "mildness, mercy," related to clemens ("merciful").

cruelty

cruelty

agency urgency potency decency regency currency tendency leniency frequency emergency residency indecency

cruelty