as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
a penitent gossip who had come to ask for forgiveness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penitent
With an appropriately penitent look, Grant took a deep breath.
—
Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
But with Cash on the vocals, the song and the man singing are nearly penitent.
—Stephanie Kaloi and James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Your penitent correspondent humbly submits that the whole ritual has jumped the shark in Northeast Ohio.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
With an appropriately penitent look, Grant took a deep breath.
—Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
But with Cash on the vocals, the song and the man singing are nearly penitent.
—Stephanie Kaloi and James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Your penitent correspondent humbly submits that the whole ritual has jumped the shark in Northeast Ohio.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
With an appropriately penitent look, Grant took a deep breath.
—Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
-
So many of the women millennials admired were destroyed in this way, becoming objects of ridicule and embarrassment that left us feeling ashamed for our stanning.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
6 Aug. 2025
-
For those who can’t breastfeed, 52% feel judged, and 56% feel ashamed.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The original action comedy got its kicks (sorry) and laughs from his family members slowly discovering that their unassuming patriarch is actually a secret bad ass.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The grandfather also showed him the sorry sight of contemporary hedges deformed by diabolical flail trimmers that chewed the natural architecture of branches into an anarchy of twigs.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Brom understands the severity of his crimes, is remorseful and has apologized to everyone involved.—
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
2 Aug. 2025
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Officers said Neal was remorseful during interviews.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Over these last weeks, however, I have been nudged into a repentant apology by his profound take on our political crisis and a sincere and accurate Christian analysis of the problems and deliberate practical steps the individual Christian citizen can take during this holy season.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
How did so many Germans become contrite about the Nazi past?—
Gary J. Bass,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.—
Anthony Paletta,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Just by being myself and being fair and apologetic and honest.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Turner was apologetic before learning her sentence.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Kim’s regretful aria in Act 1 — suspecting his own brother of his father’s murder, Artaserse has mistakenly ordered him to be executed — was a turning point.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
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Even really successful cast members are a little regretful or self-deprecating about it, or feel anxious even talking about it.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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