What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
penance
Example
As a form of penance, he decided to fast for a week. [penance: noun]
Example
She performed acts of penance to seek forgiveness for her sins. [penance: plural noun]
remorse
Example
He felt overwhelming remorse for his role in the accident. [remorse: noun]
Example
She was filled with remorse after realizing the consequences of her actions. [remorse: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Remorse is more commonly used than penance in everyday language. Remorse is a common emotion that people experience when they feel guilty or regretful about something they have done. Penance, on the other hand, is less common and is typically associated with religious practices or formal apologies.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between penance and remorse?
Both penance and remorse can be used in formal contexts, but penance is more likely to be used in religious or formal settings, while remorse is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
