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
-
Riri’s too ashamed of all the crime she’s enabled since her visit to Wakanda to reach out to her mentor.—
Stacia Brown,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
-
The Trump administration's level of sheer corruption is appalling and Paramount should be ashamed of putting its profits over independent journalism.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
That, dear reader, is the sorry state of login security today.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
These are the kind of fragrances that strangers will stop you on the street to ask about (sorry).—
WIRED,
Wired News,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
The 22-year-old fan admitted to taunting Marte and was remorseful, according to ESPN.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
-
But for once, or maybe twice, Hill seemed genuinely remorseful and reflective this week.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
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Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 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
-
Saira’s overly apologetic personality renders her insufferable for most around her, but not Willow (Gemma Chua-Tran), a musically inclined, goth, non-binary person.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
8 July 2025
-
Your tone should be matter-of-fact and confident, not apologetic.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
30 June 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
-
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 18 Jul. 2025.
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