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
But in the intervening months, Mr. Santos has struggled to maintain that penitent posture.
—
Grace Ashford, New York Times, 24 Apr. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Grace Ashford, New York Times, 24 Apr. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
-
This doesn’t seem like a company that is ashamed to be caught stealing.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Some were too ashamed to speak publicly.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The website clarifies that Kith Ivy will host an Erewhon Tonic Bar (sorry, not the full grocery store) for members.—
Oren Peleg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Your chance is now 25 out of 292 million, which is still, sorry to say, infinitesimal.—
Mark Fischetti,
Scientific American,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Singh Pannun said Singh was remorseful about the accident.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Brom understands the severity of his crimes, is remorseful and has apologized to everyone involved.—
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
2 Aug. 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
-
On Monday, after the dust had settled, the veteran issued a contrite apology.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
-
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
-
In a few short years, my plaintive, pleading tone would seem awkward and apologetic, compared to the confrontational calls on campuses for a free Palestine from the river to the sea, or Kneecap’s concert criticisms.—
Philip Metres
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Though staff were apologetic, Wolf went along with the request.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The stories were humorous and poignant, regretful and filled with silver linings.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
25 Aug. 2025
-
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 10 Sep. 2025.
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