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
The access was the result of a recent court order that ruled Roman Catholic clergy members be allowed to minister to detainees at the Broadview facility on the day of prayer, which marks the start of Lent — the most penitential season of the year for Catholics and many other Christians.
—
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
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, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
The treat, pronounced punch-key in plural or pon-check in singular, has its origins in Polish Catholic traditions of eating up fattening foods before their religious fasting and penitential season of Lent began.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
This year, the start of Ramadan is expected around the same time as Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians.
—Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penitential
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
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, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Feb. 2026
The treat, pronounced punch-key in plural or pon-check in singular, has its origins in Polish Catholic traditions of eating up fattening foods before their religious fasting and penitential season of Lent began.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
This year, the start of Ramadan is expected around the same time as Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians.
—Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penitential
Cite this Entry
“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penitential. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
