clemency
official mercy that makes a punishment less severe or removes it
Mercy shown by a legal or political authority to someone who has been convicted or sentenced, especially by reducing, delaying, or canceling a punishment.
kindness and forgiveness toward someone who deserves or expects harsh treatment
A merciful or forgiving attitude toward someone who could be punished, criticized, or treated harshly.
mild and pleasant weather
The mild, pleasant quality of weather or climate.
- Base: clemency
- Plural: clemency
appeal for clemency
1public request for mercy
to ask strongly for mercy or a lighter punishment
- Religious leaders appealed for clemency in the days before the execution.
- The defendant's children made an emotional appeal for clemency.
- Campaigners sent thousands of letters appealing for clemency.
- They appealed for clemency.
- The letter appealed for clemency.
clemency petition
1formal mercy application
an official written request for a lighter punishment
- The defense team submitted a clemency petition to the governor's office.
- Her clemency petition included letters from teachers, prison staff, and community leaders.
- The board rejected the clemency petition after a brief hearing.
- His lawyer filed a clemency petition.
- The clemency petition was denied.
executive clemency
1clemency by executive authority
the legal power of a president or governor to show mercy to a convicted person
- The constitution gives the governor broad powers of executive clemency.
- The president used executive clemency to commute several drug sentences.
- Supporters argued that the case was exactly the kind that executive clemency was designed to address.
- The governor has the power of executive clemency.
- Executive clemency can reduce a sentence.
grant clemency
1officially reduce punishment
to officially make someone's punishment less severe or remove it
- The governor granted clemency to a man who had spent 30 years in prison.
- Human rights groups urged the president to grant clemency before the execution date.
- Clemency was granted after the victim's family supported a reduced sentence.
- The governor granted clemency to the prisoner.
- She received clemency last year.
plea for clemency
1request for mercy
a serious request for a lighter punishment or mercy
- The court received a plea for clemency from the defendant's family.
- Her final statement was a plea for clemency, not a denial of responsibility.
- International leaders issued a plea for clemency on behalf of the condemned prisoner.
- His mother made a plea for clemency.
- The letter was a plea for clemency.
seek clemency
1ask for official mercy
to ask officially for a lighter punishment
- The inmate is seeking clemency from the state governor.
- His lawyers said they would seek clemency if the final appeal failed.
- Families of the defendants gathered outside the courthouse to seek clemency.
- The prisoner sought clemency.
- They are seeking clemency from the president.