penitent Definition
- 1feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins
- 2a person who repents their sins and seeks forgiveness
Using penitent: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "penitent" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was penitent for his mistakes and apologized to his colleagues.
Example
The penitent sinner sought absolution from the priest.
Example
She wrote a penitent letter to her friend after their argument.
penitent Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for penitent
Antonyms for penitent
- unrepentant
- impenitent
- unapologetic
Phrases with penitent
Example
As penance for his wrongdoing, he decided to do volunteer work for a month.
a bench used in some Christian churches for people to kneel on while confessing their sins
Example
The penitent knelt at the penitent bench and prayed for forgiveness.
penitent's robe
a garment worn by a penitent as a sign of repentance
Example
The penitent wore a simple white robe as a symbol of his remorse.
Origins of penitent
from Latin 'paenitent-', meaning 'regretful'
Summary: penitent in Brief
'Penitent' [ˈpenɪtənt] is an adjective and noun that refers to feeling or expressing remorse for one's misdeeds or sins. It can describe a person who seeks forgiveness for their wrongdoings, as in 'The penitent sinner sought absolution from the priest.' The phrase 'do penance' means to perform a voluntary act of self-mortification or devotion to show sorrow for sin. 'Penitent' is a formal term that can be used interchangeably with 'remorseful' or 'repentant.'
