penitent
adjective
feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to atonement and amendment; repentant; contrite.
penitents
-
pluralof penitent.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Before attacking the city, the crusaders fasted and walked around its walls as penitents, an act that shows the blending of pilgrimage with armed conflict.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023
His voice carries along a line of “nazarenos,” or penitents, with tall conical hats, monkish robes and facial hoods.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 7, 2023
Known as La Madrugá, or The Dawn, the procession features penitents who wear pointed black hoods and carry a float of the Virgin of Hope of Macarena from the city's cathedral.
From Reuters ● Apr. 15, 2022
Ms. Atlani-Duault, the commission member, said the group had not carried out a quantitative analysis that would show how often penitents were steered toward confession when discussing sexual abuse.
From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2021
As it turns out, though, betrayal can also breed penitents, shrewd minor politicians, and ghosts.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
