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clemency
[ klem-uhn-see ]
noun
- the quality of being clement; disposition to show forbearance, compassion, or forgiveness in judging or punishing; leniency; mercy.
Synonyms: mercifulness, gentleness, forgivingness
Antonyms: harshness
- an act or deed showing mercy or leniency.
- (of the weather) mildness or temperateness.
Antonyms: severity
clemency
/ ˈklɛmənsɪ /
noun
- mercy or leniency
- mildness, esp of the weather
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Other Words From
- over·clemen·cy noun
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of clemency1
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Example Sentences
As we reported, Kaestel’s bid for clemency won the support of high-profile activists including CNN commentator Van Jones, former actress Rose McGowan and music industry executive Jason Flom—all who told us Kaestel’s punishment was unusually severe.
Since 2012, the parole board recommended clemency three times, but Hutchinson and his predecessor Mike Beebe declined to grant it.
The board determined his clemency application had merit in 1993, but ruled against him when he applied two years later.
Under Arkansas state law, adults sentenced to life are ineligible for parole unless their sentence is commuted to a term of years by executive clemency.
The Office of the Pardon Attorney is supposed to review, investigate and prepare clemency requests, which the deputy attorney general signs off on.
Harris was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Bedford, N.Y., but was granted clemency in 1993 by Gov. Mario Cuomo.
“Surely those who wish to be seen as a state will act in a statesmanlike way by showing mercy and providing clemency,” she said.
Those who have such views are of course entitled to continue to have them, but the clemency grant has nothing to do with that.
The Justice Department wants lawyers to help non-violent drug offenders get clemency to leave jail.
No less than the New York Times has called for clemency on his behalf, insisting that he has “done his country a great service.”
His mind with all its sternness ever tended to clemency, and his constitutional prudence, or measure, forbade purposeless excess.
And to procure this her Majesty hath offered as much of her clemency to you, as with honour she might do to her subjects.
His highness's ministers and chiefs there tendered his submission, and solicited the clemency of the British government.
When, once more, there was silence, Galaima dropped upon one knee and begged for clemency for himself and friends.
There was nothing to do but wait upon the clemency—the mercy of Captain Goritz.
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More About Clemency
what does clemency mean?
Clemency is mercy or the quality of being lenient.
Clemency is most commonly used in a legal context for situations in which a prisoner is officially pardoned or has their sentence shortened.
Example: The governor has granted her clemency, meaning she will be released early.
Where does clemency come from?
The first evidence of the use of clemency in the English language comes from around 1400. It derives from the Latin clementia, which comes from the Latin clēmēns, meaning “gentle” or “merciful.”
Clemency has always been used to mean “mercifulness” or “mildness,” especially that of someone who holds power or authority, like a king or queen. Such a person could be said to have shown clemency if, for example, they could have had someone punished but did not.
This is how the term is used today. In law and criminal justice, clemency refers specifically to an executive official (like a president or governor) officially granting mercy to someone who has been convicted of a crime. This can take several forms, including a pardon (in which the crime is forgiven and the punishment is cancelled), a reprieve (in which the convicted person is given additional time before their punishment takes effect), or the commutation of a sentence (in which the punishment is reduced in some way).
Much more rarely, the word clemency is used to refer to mild weather. A much more commonly used form of this word is inclement, which is used to describe bad weather.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms of clemency?
- clement (adjective)
- overclemency (noun)
- inclemency (noun)
What are some synonyms for clemency?
What are some words that share a root or word element with clemency?
What are some words that often get used in discussing clemency?
How is clemency used in real life?
Clemency is most often used in the context of criminal justice.
So happy to hear 11 people were granted clemency last week. I can’t imagine what that must feel like.
Keep them coming!— Ross Ulbricht (@RealRossU) February 25, 2020
Too often, victims of human trafficking are pulled into a vicious cycle of crime.
That’s why TX is announcing an initiative to help survivors apply for clemency with the opportunity to receive a full pardon.
We are empowering survivors so they may find a second chance at life. pic.twitter.com/8pTMl3R54e
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) February 21, 2020
Today is the Roger Stone sentencing. Here is what I will be watching for beyond the amount of prison time he gets: What words does Judge Amy Berman Jackson use in sentencing him—knowing as she speaks that she may be scripting a presidential clemency drama?
— Benjamin Wittes (@benjaminwittes) February 20, 2020
Try using clemency!
Is clemency used correctly in the following sentence?
New pathways to clemency mean that some prisoners will have the opportunity to be released early.
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