noun
definition:
If a judge treats a prisoner with mercy, the judge does not punish the prisoner as much as he or she could. If a student does something very wrong and the school principal shows mercy to them, the principal gives them only a mild punishment, or they stop the punishment they are already giving. Mercy is a type of kindness or a kind way of treating someone.
example:
The man was afraid to go to jail, and he begged the judge for mercy.
See the full entry in Wordsmyth Elementary Children’s Dictionary