penitential
adjective
pen·i·ten·tial
ˌpe-nə-ˈten(t)-shəl 
: of or relating to penitence or penance
Examples of penitential in a Sentence
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When this occurs, public worship is suspended until a penitential rite is performed to restore the sanctity of the church.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
During the litigation of the case, Thompson said an issue arose as to whether the pastors’ testimony would be allowed under a Kansas statute that allows penitential communication between religious leaders and church-goers to remain private.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Other penitential acts bring the communal aspect more to the fore.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
During the 8th to 10th centuries, this practice fell by the wayside and the penitential season of Lent started being marked with ashes placed on the heads of the entire congregation.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 19 Apr. 2025
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Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
During the litigation of the case, Thompson said an issue arose as to whether the pastors’ testimony would be allowed under a Kansas statute that allows penitential communication between religious leaders and church-goers to remain private.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Other penitential acts bring the communal aspect more to the fore.
—Timothy Gabrielli, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2025
During the 8th to 10th centuries, this practice fell by the wayside and the penitential season of Lent started being marked with ashes placed on the heads of the entire congregation.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitential
Cite this Entry
“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penitential. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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