as in remorseful
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
repentant sinners
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repentant
Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.
—
Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
Lyttleton discerned that if Saul was truly converted to Christ, the only explanation was the one Saul himself provided; namely, that the risen Christ appeared to him and called him to repentant faith.
—Dan Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Released 24 years after a debut verse on an album no less auspicious than Outkast’s Stankonia, this was a veteran artist taking stock, vividly drawing the lines between the struggling kid and the grateful, repentant adult.
—Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2024
The repentant Barbosa who was glad getting caught forced her to quit.
—Lauren Smiley, WIRED, 10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for repentant
Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
Lyttleton discerned that if Saul was truly converted to Christ, the only explanation was the one Saul himself provided; namely, that the risen Christ appeared to him and called him to repentant faith.
—Dan Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Released 24 years after a debut verse on an album no less auspicious than Outkast’s Stankonia, this was a veteran artist taking stock, vividly drawing the lines between the struggling kid and the grateful, repentant adult.
—Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2024
The repentant Barbosa who was glad getting caught forced her to quit.
—Lauren Smiley, WIRED, 10 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for repentant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repentant
Adjective
-
Peters doesn’t appear especially remorseful.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
18 May 2026
-
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, and the high-profile punishments incurred by those who weren’t properly remorseful, Kirk morphed into one of the most widespread memes in recent memory.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At their most effective, residential schools left Survivors ashamed and confused about being Indigenous.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
Mike Isaac, a veteran tech reporter for the Times, wasn’t ashamed to admit that Brockman had inspired him to secure his own butt pillow.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Among them a City boy wearing three Fit-Bit-type devices, two beautiful Middle Eastern sisters, an outrageously pompous elderly American (sorry; eavesdropping), and several Imelda Marcos lookalikes, tottering out of the treatment rooms with, somehow, their elaborate hairstyles still intact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
That’s what health experts now advise, because statistics reveal the sorry fact that 95% of people are deficient in this essential dietary food.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Be apologetic for the inconvenience.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
-
Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Did Ye really write, or at least authorize, that contrite statement in the Wall Street Journal?—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
But with Hoskins facing the Phillies once again, now as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, Harper sent a regretful response on that decision.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
-
Dusabejambo listened to harrowing stories from survivors and heard brutal confessions from regretful perpetrators.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repentant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repentant. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
