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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
Krawiec said those services help her focus on school without feeling ashamed for asking for help.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
-
Sarah’s sister, the missing girl’s mother, prays with desperate hope for her own child, yet feels ashamed—a heartbreakingly human reaction in the face of such horror.—
Nuri Kino,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Wait, sorry, who is Ashley French?—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Their new offering will cover stories on the mental side of sports, such as how to drink coffee like Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, and tips from a gold medalist on how to say sorry less.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
During his years behind bars, the 81 year old became reflective and remorseful, though no less colorful.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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Is DeAngelo remorseful for his crimes?—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
10 Dec. 2025
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
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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
Adjective
-
If young Laveranues ever let a profanity slip in front of his mother, the contrite child put two hands to his chest and apologized sincerely.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
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This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Days later, Levine wrote that the merchandise had been returned with an apologetic note written in red pen.—
Brian Niemietz,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Far from apologetic, Reisman had no compunction about justifying his actions.—
Julien Levy,
Rolling Stone,
27 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The two end up drinking together, and the next morning, Rebecca wakes up in his bed, regretful of the one-night stand.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
21 Dec. 2025
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Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.—
Kambole Campbell,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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