repent

[ ri-pent ]

/ rɪˈpɛnt /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

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

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

Related forms

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

un·re·pent·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for repent (2 of 2)

repent

[ ree-puh nt, 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for repent

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
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
He took it boldly; and to-day, had you asked him, he would have acknowledged with a smile that he did not repent.
Major Vigoureux|A. T. Quiller-Couch

There is no proof that they gave heed to the exhortation to repent, and the candle-stick has long since been taken away.
The Revelation Explained|F. Smith
Knowledge kills joy, therefore think well what you are doing, or some day you will repent.
The Violet Fairy Book|Various
While Uncle Isham Dyer was exhorting the people to repent of their sins, the disclosure came.
The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories|Paul Laurence Dunbar
All you have to do is to repent and trust to Him, and to go and sin no more, intentionally, wilfully that is to say.
Taking Tales|W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for repent (1 of 2)

repent

/ (rɪˈpɛnt) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

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)

repent

/ (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