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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Marc makes an example of the penitent, powerless Jeanne, reminding the rest of his flock of the punishment for apostasy and using her rough time among the heathens as proof of why none under his control should ever want to trade his order for such modern sin and depravity.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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Schwimmer expressed skepticism over West’s Wall Street Journal ad, which contains penitent statements that the rapper has not offered in any live interviews or other public appearances.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Be apologetic for the inconvenience.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
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Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 May 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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Did Ye really write, or at least authorize, that contrite statement in the Wall Street Journal?—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Despite reading Whitney’s letter at least twice, Henry — a narcissist — seems baffled that Whitney is not more contrite.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Austin said Quiros-Soto has remained cooperative throughout the process, and during his interview, appeared to be calm and remorseful.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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Peters doesn’t appear especially remorseful.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitential. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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