repent

¹ American  

[ri-pent] / rɪˈpɛnt /

verb (used without object)

repents, present (3rd person singular) repented, past participle, past repenting present participle

1. to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed byof ).

   He repented after his thoughtless act.

2. to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.

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verb (used with object)

repents, present (3rd person singular) repented, past participle, past repenting present participle

1. to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition.

   to repent one's injustice to another.

2. to feel sorry for; regret.

   to repent an imprudent act.

repent ² American  

[ree-puhnt, ri-pent] / ˈri pənt, rɪˈpɛnt /

adjective

1. creeping.

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repent ¹ British  

/ rɪˈpɛnt /

verb

1. to feel remorse (for); be contrite (about); show penitence (for)

   he repents of his extravagance

   he repented his words

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repent ² British  

/ ˈriːpənt /

adjective

1. botany lying or creeping along the ground; reptant

   repent stems

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unrepentingly
  adverb
• repentingly
  adverb
• repenter
  noun
• unrepented
  adjective
• unrepenting
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have repented
  perfect
• has repented
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am repenting
  progressive 1st person singular
• is repenting
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has been repenting
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been repenting
  perfect progressive
• are repenting
  progressive
• repenting
  participle
• repents
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had repented
  perfect
• had been repenting
  perfect progressive
• was repenting
  progressive singular
• were repenting
  progressive plural
• repented
  simple
• repented
  participle

Future

• will repent
  simple
• will have repented
  perfect
• will have been repenting
  perfect progressive
• will be repenting
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of repent¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English repenten, from Old French repentir, from re- re- + pentir “to feel sorrow” (from Latin paenitēre “to regret, be sorry”; see penitent)

Origin of repent²

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin rēpent- stem of rēpēns “crawling,” present participle of rēpere “to crawl, creep”; perhaps akin to serpere “to creep, crawl” ( see serpent ( def. ))

Explanation

The verb repent means "to feel sorry for something you've done." When you repent, you acknowledge what you did and vow to change your ways. The word repent comes from the Old French word repentir, which means, "to feel regret for sins or crimes." If you cheat on an exam in school, and feel guilty afterwards, you might repent for your bad behavior by confessing to your teacher. The verb repent is often used in a religious context: when you repent, you try to make up for what you've done, promise to avoid sin in the future and devote yourself to God.

Example Sentences

Trying to Repent: You can — and do — feel genuine remorse for your behavior.

From Washington Post • Jul. 13, 2021

He was embodying the spirit of the prophet behind his surname, John the Baptist: Repent of big chains, and prepare the way for small businesses to survive.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2020

In a video posted by the People’s Daily, an officer with a megaphone shouted in Cantonese, which is spoken in Hong Kong, “Stop the violence! Repent and be saved!”

From The New Yorker • Aug. 25, 2019

Called Except Ye Repent, Dr. Ironside's broadside against sin and irreligion states its thesis thus : "To repent is to change one's attitude toward self, toward sin, toward God, toward Christ."

From Time Magazine Archive

By growth in Crimes too harden'd to Repent.

From Are these Things So? (1740) The Great Man's Answer to Are These things So: (1740) by Anonymous

Related Words

• apologize
• atone
• deplore