repentance

[ ri-pen-tns, -pen-tuhns ]

noun

1. deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.

   Synonyms: contriteness, remorse, penitence

   Antonyms: impenitence

2. regret for any past action.

   Synonyms: sorrow

repentance

/ rɪˈpɛntəns /

noun

1. remorse or contrition for one's past actions or sins
2. an act or the process of being repentant; penitence

Other Words From

• nonre·pentance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of repentance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English repentaunce, from Old French repentance; equivalent to repent ¹ + -ance

Example Sentences

A Family Grieves After the Buffalo ShootingAs a nation, we may consider repair, but repentance means to “turn away.”

From Time

Muslims believe that fasting develops submission to God, empathy with the poor and repentance and gives time for spiritual introspection.

From No Straight News

They carried megaphones and signs about repentance and damnation, but once the restaurant’s staff blasted Gaga’s “Born This Way” on the patio speakers the crowd began to disperse.

From Washington Post

Only much later, after Anne Sullivan had taught to her to sign using English, had Keller “realized what I had done, and for the first time I felt repentance and sorrow.”

From Nautilus

By 2018, he was eager to demonstrate his repentance, while Daines, two years away from his own reelection bid, was eager to help him.

From Outside Online

And if the volunteer was formerly a member of the state security forces, he can only join a year after declaring repentance.

From The Daily Beast

The Yom Kippur repentance ritual demands that we reconcile with our fellow human beings before we reconcile with God.

From The Daily Beast

“They felt a certain repentance after what they had done,” the judge wrote.

From The Daily Beast

From mere regrets he was passing now, through dismay, into utter repentance of his promise.

From Project Gutenberg

Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.

From Project Gutenberg

And remorse without one grain of honest repentance pierced his heart.

From Project Gutenberg

I had not prayed openly before, now when I was nearing death it was no time for a hurried repentance and a stammered prayer.

From Project Gutenberg

His grandfather had repented, but who was to preach repentance unto these?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contrition
• grief
• guilt
• penitence
• regret
• remorse
• sorrow