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

So much so that Benchley spent the last decades of his life, and a good deal of the fortune that Jaws delivered to him, trying to repent for the ferociously effective way his fictional story demonized great whites for the rest of us. — Neil Swidey, BostonGlobe.com, "We’re afraid of sharks. But maybe we’re not afraid enough.," 9 July 2019 The industry, brought low by #MeToo scandals, was scrambling to repent for the systemic predation of women and the exclusion of people of color. — New York Times, "Inclusion Rider? What Inclusion Rider?," 19 June 2019 Some of his old Dixiecrat friends repented; some became Republicans; some were run out of office by liberal challengers. — Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, "Joe Biden’s Segregationist Problem," 19 June 2019 Whether XXXTentacion had repented was another subject of vociferous debate. — Ben Sisario, New York Times, "Hero or Villain? Death of Rapper XXXTentacion Divides the Internet," 19 June 2018 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

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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