repentance

[ri-pen-tns, -pen-tuhns]

noun

1. deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.

   Synonyms: remorse, penitence, contriteness
   Antonyms: impenitence

2. regret for any past action.

   Synonyms: sorrow

repentance

/ rɪˈpɛntəns /

noun

1. remorse or contrition for one's past actions or sins

2. an act or the process of being repentant; penitence

Other Word Forms

• nonrepentance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of repentance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English repentaunce, from Old French repentance; equivalent to repent ¹ + -ance

Example Sentences

The man responsible for two extremely graphic videos, Wang Chaoyi, was detained for 15 days by the Chinese authorities and forced to issue a "letter of repentance".

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"As Christians, we know that we are people who need repentance and hope."

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In theory, however, there is supposed to be repentance before redemption.

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Smyth introduced the notion to Mr Morse that he was "sinning" and needed to "mark those sense in a form of repentance that really would mean something to the Lord".

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In the meantime, this aggressively revisionist supermarket, as indicated in Butler’s novel, has become part pharmacy, part a site of repentance for past consumption.

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Related Words

• contrition 
• grief 
• guilt 
• penitence 
• regret 
• remorse 
• sorrow