repent

[ 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.

Words nearby repent

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

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

Definition for repent (2 of 2)

repent²

[ 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)

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

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Words related to repent

Words nearby repent

Origin of repent

OTHER WORDS FROM repent

Definition for repent (2 of 2)

adjective

Origin of repent

Examples from the Web for repent

British Dictionary definitions for repent (1 of 2)

verb

Derived forms of repent

Word Origin for repent

British Dictionary definitions for repent (2 of 2)

adjective

Word Origin for repent