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
-
Many scam victims are embarrassed and ashamed to admit publicly that they were taken in.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
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Being frugal isn’t something that people should be ashamed of; frugality can lead to the wildest innovations.—
Vivek Bhaskaran,
Forbes.com,
12 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
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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
-
On Monday, after the dust had settled, the veteran issued a contrite apology.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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The dispatches from one of India’s most troubled generic drug makers were contrite, filled with far-reaching promises to clean up its factory, stop contamination and send safe medication to Americans counting on the company’s drugs.—
Megan Rose,
ProPublica,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Though staff were apologetic, Wolf went along with the request.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
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Those of us women on the right aren’t asking for men to become weak or apologetic, but why has strength become indistinguishable from dominance?—
Rachel Marsden,
Hartford Courant,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The stories were humorous and poignant, regretful and filled with silver linings.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
25 Aug. 2025
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Weapon art: Call regretful visages in a swirl of smoke.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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