as in ashamed
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
a penitent gossip who had come to ask for forgiveness
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of penitent
In the wake of the AP's investigation last year, Republican state Rep. Phil Lyman and Democratic Rep. Angela Romero announced plans to reform Utah's clergy-penitent privilege loophole.
—
Sam Metz, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023
Her husband’s sudden, violent reaction to the joke, and his subsequent Best Actor speech that bobbed and weaved over the line between defiant and penitent, swallowed the rest of the night whole.
—Caroline Framke, Variety, 27 Mar. 2022
However, lawmakers returned six years later to reinstate the clergy-penitent privilege.
—Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2020
Even if absolution is denied, though, the exchange between penitent and confessor is to remain confidential.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Sam Metz, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023
Her husband’s sudden, violent reaction to the joke, and his subsequent Best Actor speech that bobbed and weaved over the line between defiant and penitent, swallowed the rest of the night whole.
—Caroline Framke, Variety, 27 Mar. 2022
However, lawmakers returned six years later to reinstate the clergy-penitent privilege.
—Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2020
Even if absolution is denied, though, the exchange between penitent and confessor is to remain confidential.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2019
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
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The documentary follows their journey, focusing not only on the two core members but also on the importance of being special, without feeling ashamed.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2025
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Sean Ono Lennon isn't ashamed to have famous parents.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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There was that whole affair in season 1, which ended in murder — sorry, Adam (Peter Gadiot) — and there have been a number of secrets, and not just about book clubs.—
Samantha Highfill,
EW.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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This is not the time for anyone to be feeling sorry for themselves.—
James Pearce,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Whetstone said the power was with the poster and encouraged her mother to be remorseful, express mortification with her actions and work to make amends.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
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The victim's mother told the Daily Mail the teen does not appear to be remorseful.—
Christina Coulter,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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In his new statement, Suga took an even more repentant tone, apologizing for damaging his reputation and disappointing fans while opening himself to any further punishment.—
Justin Curto,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.—
Anthony Paletta,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
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Everyone would be expecting a contrite performance from him, tepid jokes about male-female relationships, jokes about how horrible men were, and so on.—
Camille Bordas,
Harper's Magazine,
2 May 2024
Adjective
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The driver is apologetic but doesn’t budge, video shows.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
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Ricky must learn how to set his own schedule, something the constantly late and often apologetic man can’t seem to get a handle on.—
Matthew Creith,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Reubens is candid and perhaps regretful about some of his controlling behavior on the show, and its eventual demise; ditto some of the choices made on Big Top Pee-Wee.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
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Her scenes with Burstein are rich and funny and regretful; those with June (Jordan Tyson) and Louise (Joy Woods) are withering.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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