repent

[ ri-pent ]

/ rɪˈpɛnt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for repent on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed by of): He repented after his thoughtless act.

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

verb (used with object)

to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition: to repent one's injustice to another.

to feel sorry for; regret: to repent an imprudent act.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of repent

1250–1300; Middle English repenten<Old French repentir, equivalent to re-re- + pentir to feel sorrow (<Latin paenitēre to regret, be sorry); see penitent

OTHER WORDS FROM repent

re·pent·er, nounre·pent·ing·ly, adverbun·re·pent·ed, adjectiveun·re·pent·ing, adjective

un·re·pent·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby repent

repeating firearm, repeat oneself, repechage, repel, repellent, repent, repentance, repentant, Repentigny, repeople, repercussion

Other definitions for repent (2 of 2)

repent²

[ ree-puhnt, ri-pent ]

/ ˈri pənt, rɪˈpɛnt /

adjective

creeping.

Origin of repent

1660–70; <Latin rēpent- (stem of rēpēns), present participle of rēpere to crawl, creep; see -ent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use repent in a sentence

The newborn suffered terrible burns to her face before the family repented and took her home.
The Taliban Tried to Kill Her. Now She Negotiates With Them|Kate Bartlett|June 1, 2021|Ozy
If Hiltz had had his way, he said, he “would not pardon rebels, especially the leaders” until they first supplicated themselves “in the dust of humiliation” and sincerely repented for the rebellion.
The future in Afghanistan may be key to the well-being of America’s soldiers|Dillon Carroll|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
Nature shields us from the worst consequences of our own actions, forgiving the sins we refuse to repent.
Humanity’s greatest ally against climate change is the Earth itself|Sarah Kaplan|April 22, 2021|Washington Post
As the years rolled on, Cronos repented his actions, but it was too late.
Gaia, the Scientist - Issue 99: Universality|Hope Jahren|April 7, 2021|Nautilus

I need them to repent of what got them here and turn in a new direction.
'We Must Have a Third Reconstruction.' Read the Full Text of the Rev. William J. Barber II's Sermon at the Inaugural Prayer Service|William J. Barber II|January 21, 2021|Time
They were told, again as gently as such a message could be, that they were unbelievers but would soon repent.
Abducted, Tortured, Indoctrinated: The Tale of a Teen Who Escaped ISIS|Yusuf Sayman|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A: You must repent for entertaining the notion of killing a person, especially as a means of resolving a dispute.
Dear Rabbi: Should I Shoot Women of the Wall?|Sigal Samuel|June 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Two of the women repent, so they ascend to heaven, and one woman refuses, and is doomed to hell.
The Controversial Abortion Horror Film|Marlow Stern|June 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But rather than hiding away in a dark monastery to repent, Cardinal Law is instead an exalted member of Vatican inner circles.
The Cardinal Who Got Away|Barbie Latza Nadeau|May 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Investigating signs and ads, such as Repent and Sin No More!
Warhol's Final Years|Paul Laster|October 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Pickwick—deepest obligations—life preserver—made a man of me—you shall never repent it, sir.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
When the father had finished, he stabbed his wife, telling her to repent of her sins and to confess to God who would pardon her.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
But later the Marshal had bitter cause to repent these triumphs won over his rival.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
But if the house had been transferred, A could not afterwards repent of his act and demand its return.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
If it shall do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice: I will repent of the good that I have spoken to do unto it.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for repent (1 of 2)

repent¹

/ (rɪˈpɛnt) /

verb

to feel remorse (for); be contrite (about); show penitence (for)he repents of his extravagance; he repented his words

Derived forms of repent

repenter, noun

Word Origin for repent

C13: from Old French repentir from re- + pentir to be contrite, from Latin paenitēre to repent

British Dictionary definitions for repent (2 of 2)

repent²

/ (ˈriːpənt) /

adjective

botany lying or creeping along the ground; reptantrepent stems

Word Origin for repent

C17: from Latin rēpere to creep

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

repent

Origin of repent

OTHER WORDS FROM repent

Words nearby repent

Other definitions for repent (2 of 2)

Origin of repent

Words related to repent

How to use repent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for repent (1 of 2)

Derived forms of repent

Word Origin for repent

British Dictionary definitions for repent (2 of 2)

Word Origin for repent