repent

¹re·pent

verb \ri-ˈpent\

Definition of REPENT

intransitive verb

1

: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life

2

a : to feel regret or contrition

b : to change one's mind

transitive verb

1

: to cause to feel regret or contrition

2

: to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for

— re·pent·er noun

Examples of REPENT

1. The preacher told us that we would be forgiven for our sins if we repented.
2. criminals who have repented for their crimes
3. The preacher told us that we would be forgiven if we repented our sins.

Origin of REPENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French repentir, from Medieval Latin repoenitēre, from Latin re- + Late Latin poenitēre to feel regret, alteration of Latin paenitēre — more at penitent

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REPENT

Synonyms

bemoan, deplore, lament, regret, rue

Related Words

ache (for), bewail, grieve (for), mourn, sorrow (for)

Near Antonyms

delight (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor (also savour)

Rhymes with REPENT

absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent

²re·pent

adjective \ˈrē-pənt\

Definition of REPENT

: creeping, prostrate <repent stems>

Origin of REPENT

Latin repent-, repens, present participle of repere to creep — more at reptile

First Known Use: 1669