PENITENT Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

penitent

adjective

ˈpe-nə-tənt

Definition of penitent

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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of penitent When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air. — Literary Hub, 20 June 2025 For his part, the boy is quiet and seems penitent, making the cell a calming refuge for Dean within an institution unofficially ruled by a cutthroat mini mob boss, Freddie (Ishay Lalosh). — Judy Berman, Time, 2 May 2025 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

Father Ruiz, who was from Peru, by contrast always felt a little ashamed of not having studied in any concerted way.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Rather, marijuana is part of the private language keeping Molly and Frankie afloat, and instead of feeling ashamed, the soulmates have designed their lives around celebrating weed as a kind of romance.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of ashamed

Adjective

There has also always been a place for vice in fragrance (sorry to point out that classic diet cola and cigarettes, while very Gabbriette right now, are not actually good for you).

— Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Aug. 2026
Evidence of silence quietly (sorry) breaking apart one’s bearings bleeds through both the main plot thread and satellite storylines, which include recurring visits to a client of Ninh’s and that man’s own conflicts with his distant wife.

— Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of sorry

Adjective

To Tommy, Anna and Molly are twittering encumbrances, idiotic in their insistence on good works and the good of man, their endless remorseful hedgings about the Communist Party.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Outside the courtroom, attorney Eric Clayman told reporters that Watson is remorseful and didn’t want to hurt Ibrahim.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of remorseful

Adjective

Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.

— Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
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

Definition of repentant

Adjective

An apologetic statement this week and commitment to not letting history repeat itself has, though, done little to placate the intensifying scrutiny of his leadership.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The cleaning lady was very apologetic and offered to pay for the sink itself.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of apologetic

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penitence

penitent

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“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of penitent

adjective

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