as in ruthless
not sorry for having done wrong
an impenitent criminal who said he'd do it all over again, given the chance
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Recent Examples of impenitent
For her part, having faced such criticism for over four decades, Newkirk remains blissfully impenitent.
—
Jan Dutkiewicz, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024
Among the various allegations put forward are reports of drugging and fascist group chats, slave labour and foot photograph farms, with the brand’s impenitent founder Stephan Marsan at its centre.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Just look at the impenitent subject: the deep furrow between his eyebrows and the one that contours his cheek seem to want to connect and form a kind of scar in shadow.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
But they were also imbued with a sense of impenitent joy that was paramount to the show.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 June 2023
Jan Dutkiewicz, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024
Among the various allegations put forward are reports of drugging and fascist group chats, slave labour and foot photograph farms, with the brand’s impenitent founder Stephan Marsan at its centre.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
Just look at the impenitent subject: the deep furrow between his eyebrows and the one that contours his cheek seem to want to connect and form a kind of scar in shadow.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
But they were also imbued with a sense of impenitent joy that was paramount to the show.
—Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenitent
Adjective
-
The film centers on a car rental company owner who accidentally witnesses a murder, making him and his family targets of a ruthless gang.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Inspired by the book and 2003 Belgian film De zaak Alzheimer, the Fox psychological thriller series trades on Dempsey’s decades of goodwill as a beloved romantic lead to turn a ruthless killer into an antihero worth rooting for.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All came adorned and unrepentant in their right to adornment.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Throughout his sentencing, the unrepentant Routh displayed contempt for the proceedings, even offering to trade his life in a prisoner swap.—
David Fischer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The stalemate stems from Democrats’ insistence on immigration-enforcement reform — particularly, the cruel and often erroneous enforcement that is sending shockwaves of fear throughout immigrant populations and even distressing American-citizen residents of Puerto Rico.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Shaw called the revelation an appalling and cruel irony.—
Stephanie Elam,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impenitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenitent. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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