Exclamation of surprise, fear, remonstrance.

‘Have mercy!’, ‘May God have mercy!’ (sometimes with qualification, as God's mercy!, etc., and in weakened use expressing surprise, fear, etc.).

for mercy! Obsolete. rare.

mercy on us (also me, etc.)!

(for) mercy's sake!. Also in variants (chiefly U.S. regional), as mercy sakes, a mercy's name, etc.

An exclamation of pain, fear, or dismay. See also ow, int.

An exclamation of fear, alarm, or dismay (also occasionally of excitement or surprise).