repent
1 Americanverb (used without object)
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to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed byof ).
He repented after his thoughtless act.
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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)
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to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition.
to repent one's injustice to another.
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to feel sorry for; regret.
to repent an imprudent act.
adjective
verb
adjective
Other Word Forms
- repenter noun
- repentingly adverb
- unrepented adjective
- unrepenting adjective
- unrepentingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of repent1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English repenten, from Old French repentir, from re- re- + pentir “to feel sorrow” (from Latin paenitēre “to regret, be sorry”; penitent )
Origin of repent2
First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin rēpent- stem of rēpēns “crawling,” present participle of rēpere “to crawl, creep”; perhaps akin to serpere “to creep, crawl” ( serpent ( def. ) )
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.
Grinch boosters point out that the villain repents and reforms at the end of the story, shedding his pathological hatred of Christmas.
From Los Angeles Times
John Paul visited him in prison in December 1983, where he repented for the crime but did not specify his motives.
From Barron's
At the time of his 2024 conversion, Brand declared that he had repented of his past and that he would "acknowledge that I am in a battle against myself."
From Salon
It can't both be true that the accusations are false and also that Hegseth repents of his behavior, as multiple journalists have pointed out.
From Salon
Writing a column is a recurring opportunity to make mistakes in plain sight and repent them at leisure.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
