clemency
The mercy a ruler or judge shows by giving a gentler punishment.
clemency in a sentence
- The prisoner begged the queen for clemency.
- Because the boy had told the truth, the headteacher showed clemency.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to clemency?
- Amercy
- Bharshness
- Ccruelty
- Dseverity
Show the answer
A: mercy. The other three mean the opposite of clemency.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to clemency?
- Amercy
- Bharshness
- Cforgiveness
- Dleniency
Show the answer
B: harshness. The other three mean nearly the same as clemency.
Words that mean something similar
mercy, leniency, forgiveness
Words that mean the opposite
harshness, cruelty, severity
More words about behaviour & manners
- commend: To praise someone for doing something well.
- compel: To force someone to do something.
- consent: To agree to something or give permission for it.
- contribute: To give something, such as money, time or ideas, to help.
- conventional: Usual and traditional, done the way things are normally done.
- cordial: Warm, friendly and polite.
- courteous: Polite and showing good manners.
- covert: Done secretly, so that other people do not notice.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test