repent
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 byof ).
repented
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past participleof repent.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof repent.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
repentverb (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 byof ).
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.
Although his pro-Polish stance cost him a great deal of popularity in Russia—there was a sharp drop in the readership of the samizdat Bell—he never repented his choice.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
John Paul visited him in prison in December 1983, where he repented for the crime but did not specify his motives.
From Barron's ● Nov. 27, 2025
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 ● Apr. 5, 2025
Most of these old pirates have left the area - often they have gone abroad or have repented.
From BBC ● Dec. 21, 2024
Nurse Cramer was prepared to begin talking to Nurse Duckett again if she repented and apologized.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
