clemency
gb/klˈɛmənsi/ us/klˈɛmənsi/
C1
English
kegyelem, elnézés, enyheség
NOUN
C1
LEGAL
1
kegyelem
B2
Usage pattern:
clemency for [someone]; clemency from [an authority]
The governor granted clemency to several prisoners serving long sentences for nonviolent offenses.
A kormányzó kegyelmet adott több olyan rabnak, akik erőszakmentes bűncselekményekért hosszú börtönbüntetést töltöttek.
Her lawyers filed a petition for clemency, arguing that new evidence had raised doubts about the conviction.
Ügyvédei kegyelmi kérvényt nyújtottak be, azzal érvelve, hogy az új bizonyítékok kétségeket vetettek fel az elítéléssel kapcsolatban.
The president denied clemency, and the sentence was allowed to stand.
Learner examples
The prisoner asked the governor for clemency.
A fogoly kegyelmet kért a kormányzótól.
Clemency can reduce a prison sentence.
A kegyelem csökkentheti a börtönbüntetést.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse clemency with amnesty. Amnesty usually applies to a group; clemency often applies to an individual case.
Meaning
official mercy in punishment
Collocations
grant clemency
|deny clemency
|seek clemency
|request clemency
|appeal for clemency
|a clemency petition
|presidential clemency
|executive clemency
|a plea for clemency
|an act of clemency
Synonyms
pardon (often means officially forgiving a crime or canceling the legal consequences)
|
commutation (specifically means reducing a sentence, not fully forgiving the offense)
|
reprieve (usually means delaying or temporarily stopping a punishment, especially execution)
|
leniency (broader and less specifically legal)
Antonyms
punishment (the penalty clemency reduces or removes)
|
severity (strict or harsh treatment instead of mercy)
|
retribution (punishment as payback rather than mercy)
Themes
law
|crime
|government
|justice
Definition
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.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
show clemency to/toward [someone]
The defeated soldiers expected no clemency from the invading army.
A legyőzött katonák semmi kegyelemre sem számítottak a megszálló hadseregtől.
Critics said the committee showed too much clemency toward senior managers who ignored the warnings.
A bírálók szerint a bizottság túl sok elnézést tanúsított azokkal a felsővezetőkkel szemben, akik figyelmen kívül hagyták a figyelmeztetéseket.
She asked for clemency, but the school still suspended her for the rest of the term.
Learner examples
He hoped the teacher would show clemency.
Remélte, hogy a tanár elnéző lesz.
The judge spoke with clemency, not anger.
A bíró nem haraggal, hanem elnézéssel beszélt.
Common mistake:
Clemency is formal; in everyday speech, mercy, forgiveness, or leniency is usually more natural.
Meaning
merciful leniency generally
Collocations
show clemency
|ask for clemency
|beg for clemency
|appeal for clemency
|an act of clemency
|unexpected clemency
|little clemency
|no clemency
Synonyms
mercy (more common and emotional; can be religious or personal)
|
leniency (focuses on being less strict, especially with rules or punishment)
|
compassion (emphasizes sympathy more than reducing punishment)
|
forgiveness (emphasizes not holding a wrong against someone)
Antonyms
harshness (unmerciful or severe treatment)
|
cruelty (deliberately unkind treatment)
|
severity (strictness without mercy)
Themes
emotions
|behavior
|authority
Definition
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.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
3
enyheség
C1
Usage pattern:
the clemency of [the weather/climate/season]
The hikers were grateful for the unexpected clemency of the weather.
A túrázók hálásak voltak az időjárás váratlan enyheségéért.
Travelers praised the clemency of the island's climate during the winter months.
Az utazók dicsérték a sziget éghajlatának enyheségét a téli hónapokban.
Learner examples
The clemency of the weather made the trip easier.
Az időjárás enyhesége megkönnyítette az utat.
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare in modern English; use mild weather in ordinary conversation.
Meaning
mildness of weather
Collocations
the clemency of the weather
|the clemency of the climate
|seasonal clemency
Synonyms
mildness (much more common and neutral)
|
pleasantness (broader and less precise)
|
temperateness (more formal; often describes climate)
Antonyms
harshness (severe, unpleasant weather conditions)
|
severity (extreme or difficult weather)
Themes
weather
|climate
|nature
Definition
mild and pleasant weather
The mild, pleasant quality of weather or climate.
Grammar
Dictionary form
clemency
IPA
GB/klˈɛmənsi/
US/klˈɛmənsi/
Syllables & stress
clem - ency (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (clem)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: clemency
- Plural: clemency
Expressions
appeal for clemency
1/əpˈil fɚ klˈɛmənsi/
fixed phrase
formal
public request for mercy
to ask strongly for mercy or a lighter punishment
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- They appealed for clemency.
- The letter appealed for clemency.
clemency petition
1/klˈɛmənsi pətˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
formal mercy application
an official written request for a lighter punishment
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- His lawyer filed a clemency petition.
- The clemency petition was denied.
executive clemency
1/ɪɡzˈɛkjətɪv klˈɛmənsi/
fixed phrase
legal
clemency by executive authority
the legal power of a president or governor to show mercy to a convicted person
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- The governor has the power of executive clemency.
- Executive clemency can reduce a sentence.
grant clemency
1/ɡɹˈænt klˈɛmənsi/
fixed phrase
legal
officially reduce punishment
to officially make someone's punishment less severe or remove it
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- The governor granted clemency to the prisoner.
- She received clemency last year.
plea for clemency
1/plˈi fɚ klˈɛmənsi/
fixed phrase
formal
request for mercy
a serious request for a lighter punishment or mercy
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- His mother made a plea for clemency.
- The letter was a plea for clemency.
seek clemency
1/sˈik klˈɛmənsi/
fixed phrase
legal
ask for official mercy
to ask officially for a lighter punishment
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- The prisoner sought clemency.
- They are seeking clemency from the president.