clemency
noun
clem·en·cy
ˈkle-mən(t)-sē 
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.
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
If the lawyers report no outstanding appeals and the governor refuses clemency, Sigmon will be brought into the death chamber.
—
CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
Raymond Gaines, who was granted clemency in the final days of Joe Biden's presidency, has been charged in connection with smuggling paper laced with a synthetic cannabinoid into a federal prison in Devens, Mass., officials said.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
In Minnesota, those seeking a pardon must apply to a clemency review commission, which then makes a recommendation to the state board of pardons – comprising state’s governor, attorney general and chief justice.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Wehle provides an interesting overview of early clemency cases, beginning with Presidents George Washington and John Adams.
—Bill Hamilton, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clemency
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CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
Raymond Gaines, who was granted clemency in the final days of Joe Biden's presidency, has been charged in connection with smuggling paper laced with a synthetic cannabinoid into a federal prison in Devens, Mass., officials said.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 Mar. 2025
In Minnesota, those seeking a pardon must apply to a clemency review commission, which then makes a recommendation to the state board of pardons – comprising state’s governor, attorney general and chief justice.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Wehle provides an interesting overview of early clemency cases, beginning with Presidents George Washington and John Adams.
—Bill Hamilton, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clemency
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Cite this Entry
“Clemency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clemency. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
clemency
noun
clem·en·cy
ˈklem-ən-sē
plural clemencies
1
: disposition to be merciful
2
: an act or instance of mercy
Legal Definition
clemency
noun
clem·en·cy
ˈkle-mən-sē
plural clemencies
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