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repent

1
[ ri-pent ]
/ rɪˈpɛnt /
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.

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“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.
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Origin of repent

1
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

Words nearby repent

repeating decimal, repeating firearm, repechage, repel, repellent, repent, repentance, repentant, repentigny, repeople, repercussion

Definition for repent (2 of 2)

repent2
[ ree-puh nt, ri-pent ]
/ ˈri pənt, rɪˈpɛnt /

adjective

creeping.

Origin of repent

2
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. 2020

Words related to repent

atone, deplore, apologize, bewail, regret, reform, sorrow, lament, rue, relent

Example sentences from the Web for repent

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