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 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 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 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
  • Outside the courtroom, attorney Eric Clayman told reporters that Watson is remorseful and didn’t want to hurt Ibrahim.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Lil Wayne is feeling remorseful after leaving fans in Maine high and dry.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of remorseful
Adjective
  • She would be horrified, hurt—ashamed, even, of Zeenat’s behavior.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • Legendary Iran striker Ali Daei, widely recognised as one of Asia’s greatest ever soccer players, was once a client but Beiranvand felt too ashamed to introduce himself.
    — Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of ashamed
Adjective
  • Much has been made of this World Cup’s mandatory commercial—sorry, hydration—breaks, which have paused action, even during indoor or rain-soaked matches.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 30 June 2026
  • Back home that night, dues paid to god, the women slathered their faces with turmeric cream and went to bed, bitter-smelling, sorry for themselves on that night as every night.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Definition of sorry
Adjective
  • In his speech to the Spanish parliament Monday, Leo framed the right of the church to keep priest-penitent conversations confidential as a matter of freedom of religion.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 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
Definition of penitent
Adjective
  • Instead of trying to hide the battery pack behind oversized body panels, the Streetdog integrates it into the overall silhouette in a way that feels deliberate rather than apologetic.
    — Utkarsh Sood June 27, New Atlas, 27 June 2026
  • Palmer was immediately apologetic, though her family was already laughing.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 20 May 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
  • 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
  • That’s interesting because there’s not been a case being made for going back in, just a lot of regretful noises.
    — Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026
Definition of regretful

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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 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on repentant

Nglish: Translation of repentant for Spanish Speakers

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