repentant

adjective

ri-ˈpen-tᵊnt How to pronounce repentant (audio)
Definition of repentantnext
as in remorseful
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done repentant sinners

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repentant
  1. remorseful
  2. ashamed
  3. sorry
  4. penitent
  5. apologetic
  6. contrite
  7. regretful
Adjective
  • Several artists said Ludlow, though remorseful about the festival’s outcome, failed to communicate updates about the cancellation beyond last-minute form letters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • To Tommy, Anna and Molly are twittering encumbrances, idiotic in their insistence on good works and the good of man, their endless remorseful hedgings about the Communist Party.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of remorseful
Adjective
  • Some classmates were ashamed that their immigrant parents spoke only Polish or Hungarian at home.
    — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Spartans should be proud, and the Trojans should be ashamed.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of ashamed
Adjective
  • Thank god for two thinkers willing to sit and untangle our sorry state of affairs.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026
  • And viewers’ mileage will certainly vary with this peculiar, fun little concoction on seclusion, connection and the need to belong that can’t hide its undercurrent of melancholy about the sorry state of a divided world.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of sorry
Adjective
  • Lingerie brands across the industry entered a phase of penitent marketing.
    — Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Having your biggest look also be your most penitent is a bold move, but it’s girded by Rome having put in years of work and collected plenty of horror stories to reflect on.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
Definition of penitent
Adjective
  • An apologetic Marks had to deliver the news to her royal friend that she was required to be with family for the last weeks of August, and would be unable to take the trip to Italy as planned.
    — Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Learning that Duarte was out of the country in Spain, Schrager was immediately apologetic.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of apologetic
Adjective
  • On Sunday a contrite Brewster apologized.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
  • McGuire indicated that Sorsby is contrite about it all and said that the quarterback could speak publicly soon.
    — Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Definition of contrite
Adjective
  • Responses varied by age and gender, with the most regretful group being Gen Z women.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Regina genuinely likes Louis, is regretful about getting loud with him, and after learning about Claudia feels sorry for him.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of regretful

Browse Nearby Words

repentance
repentant
repented
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Cite this Entry

“Repentant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repentant. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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