What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repent
Example
He truly repented for his actions and sought forgiveness. [repented: past tense]
Example
She went to church to repent for her sins. [repent: verb]
regret
Example
I regret not studying harder for the exam. [regret: verb]
Example
He felt a deep sense of regret for not spending more time with his family. [regret: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Regret is more commonly used than repent in everyday language. Regret is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while repent is less common and often associated with religious or spiritual contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between repent and regret?
Repent is typically associated with a more formal and serious tone, while regret can be used in both formal and informal contexts.