penitential
adjective
pen·i·ten·tial
ˌpe-nə-ˈten(t)-shəl 
: of or relating to penitence or penance
Examples of penitential in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sanctuary had for centuries grown detached from penitential discipline and become incorporated within royal criminal law, while the church’s emphasis shifted from the sacrality of space to jurisdictional immunity, which in turn became more closely linked to royal grants.
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020
The church released a statement on its website Thursday saying that, due to the desecration of the altar, Abbot Elijah Owens and the monastic community will undertake the penitential rite, reparation for the desecration and offer a Mass of Reparation.
—Monica Brich, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2023
Throughout Lent—the penitential season prior to Easter, which for the Orthodox is this Sunday—Ukrainian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, metropolitans, clergy, and scholars have been consumed with the issues of the war.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2022
Established and state-regulated by the late fourth century, Christian sanctuary was based in episcopal intercession and penitential discipline; it was intended to spare the body the worst consequences of crime and thereby to save the soul from the everlasting implications of sin.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020
Purchase of pardons had traditionally allowed people to bypass the penitential rituals the Church required for remission of sins.
—Maureen Quilligan, WSJ, 1 Feb. 2022
The choir – split into two groups to accommodate social distancing – offers four works that touch on penitential themes.
—oregonlive, 22 Mar. 2022
But there’s something penitential about her account, a purging of her regret and guilt about her co-workers (many of whom testify here) but also her stupidity, about business and men.
—John Anderson, WSJ, 15 Mar. 2022
Today is Ash Wednesday, which for Christians marks the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
—Editors, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2022
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Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020
The church released a statement on its website Thursday saying that, due to the desecration of the altar, Abbot Elijah Owens and the monastic community will undertake the penitential rite, reparation for the desecration and offer a Mass of Reparation.
—Monica Brich, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2023
Throughout Lent—the penitential season prior to Easter, which for the Orthodox is this Sunday—Ukrainian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, metropolitans, clergy, and scholars have been consumed with the issues of the war.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2022
Established and state-regulated by the late fourth century, Christian sanctuary was based in episcopal intercession and penitential discipline; it was intended to spare the body the worst consequences of crime and thereby to save the soul from the everlasting implications of sin.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020
Purchase of pardons had traditionally allowed people to bypass the penitential rituals the Church required for remission of sins.
—Maureen Quilligan, WSJ, 1 Feb. 2022
The choir – split into two groups to accommodate social distancing – offers four works that touch on penitential themes.
—oregonlive, 22 Mar. 2022
But there’s something penitential about her account, a purging of her regret and guilt about her co-workers (many of whom testify here) but also her stupidity, about business and men.
—John Anderson, WSJ, 15 Mar. 2022
Today is Ash Wednesday, which for Christians marks the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
—Editors, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'penitential.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of penitential was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near penitential
Cite this Entry
“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penitential. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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