repent

verb

re·pent | \ri-ˈpent

repented; repenting; repents

Definition of repent

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

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

2a : 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

repent

adjective

re·pent | \ˈrē-pənt

Definition of repent (Entry 2 of 2)

: creeping, prostrate repent stems

Other Words from repent Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about repent

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Synonyms for repent

Synonyms: Verb

bemoan, deplore, lament, regret, rue

Examples of repent in a Sentence

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

For example, in 1995, the Southern Baptist Convention publicly repented of its historical complicity with slave owners and passed a resolution for racial reconciliation. — Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, "Before Trump, churches were increasingly multiracial. What next?," 3 July 2018 Easter morning, a day for repenting sins, fitting since Conte will serve as penalty timekeeper for Bruins-Flyers in two hours. — Alex Prewitt, SI.com, "The NHL Penalty Box Is a Small Glass Case Made for Oddities," 19 Apr. 2018 Eden’s storyline culminates in this incredibly tragic ending, where her affair with Isaac is discovered and she’s executed for refusing to repent. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Max Minghella Talks Playing the Only Good Man in Gilead on The Handmaid's Tale," 5 July 2018 Why the Red Carpet Is Important in the #MeToo Era This book reminds me of an Old Testament prophet, crying that the system is completely corrupt, everyone is complicit, and everyone needs to repent. — Belinda Luscombe, Time, "Rose McGowan on Her 'Brave' New Book and Surviving the 'Cult of Hollywood'," 1 Feb. 2018 But Koresh refused to repent of his teachings, said Pace, who was leading a small house church in Gadsden, Ala., at the time of the 1993 standoff. — Bobby Ross Jr., USA TODAY, "Cult leader? ‘Sinful Messiah’? 25 years after Waco, interest in David Koresh still strong," 16 Apr. 2018 Sam Ranier, a pastor in Florida who plans on attending the convention, said people should start to move forward by repenting themselves. — Sarah Smith, star-telegram, "Prayers and protests: Welcome to the Southern Baptists' meeting in a #MeToo world," 11 June 2018 Since Trump’s upset victory, artists haven’t exactly felt the need to undertake an apology tour to repent of their outspokenness. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Can Protest Art Get Its Mojo Back?," 7 May 2018 But Koresh refused to repent of his teachings, said Pace, who was leading a small house church in Gadsden, Ala., at the time of the 1993 standoff. — Bobby Ross Jr., USA TODAY, "Cult leader? ‘Sinful Messiah’? 25 years after Waco, interest in David Koresh still strong," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for repent

Verb

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

Adjective

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

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