as in penitent
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Recent Examples of penitential
This year, the start of Ramadan is expected around the same time as Ash Wednesday, a solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Lent, the most penitential season of the church calendar for Catholics and many other Christians.
—
Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
During the 8th to 10th centuries, this practice fell by the wayside and the penitential season of Lent started being marked with ashes placed on the heads of the entire congregation.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
In contrast to the penitential nature of Lent, Easter is a festive period that lasts for fifty days, culminating with the feast of Pentecost.
—Nadia Cantú, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
When this occurs, public worship is suspended until a penitential rite is performed to restore the sanctity of the church.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitential
Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
During the 8th to 10th centuries, this practice fell by the wayside and the penitential season of Lent started being marked with ashes placed on the heads of the entire congregation.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
In contrast to the penitential nature of Lent, Easter is a festive period that lasts for fifty days, culminating with the feast of Pentecost.
—Nadia Cantú, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026
When this occurs, public worship is suspended until a penitential rite is performed to restore the sanctity of the church.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penitential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitential
Adjective
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It is flanked on all sides by footlong rulers (emblazoned, like the yardsticks, with an assortment of penitent phrases including YES, SISTER and NO, SISTER) marking the hours.—
Alex Jovanovich,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
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When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The Frenchman fluffed his lines in the first half, skewing wide on his left foot when well placed in front of goal, and also saw an almost apologetic effort blocked shortly before Bournemouth’s equaliser.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Creative work becomes pre-apologetic.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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When one woman sees her bad behavior caught on camera, she’s initially contrite.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Melling’s scenes all took place in the objectively less exciting muggle universe, occurring along a fairly straightforward arc from spoiled bully to remorseful young adult.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 Feb. 2026
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This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitential. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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