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
Then Morrison introduced a bill to remove clergy-penitent privilege from the state's law on mandatory abuse reporting.
—
Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2023
Even when someone is truly sorry and penitent.
—Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 16 July 2021
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2023
Even when someone is truly sorry and penitent.
—Vicky Spratt, refinery29.com, 16 July 2021
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
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Trump and Vice President JD Vance should be ashamed.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
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And both Team Johnson and complicit aldermen should be ashamed this ham-handed gambit was kept under wraps when those affected could have had a say. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
So now that the price is slashed in half, this is really a deal that can't be beat (sorry).—
John Mihaly,
PCMAG,
21 Mar. 2025
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Brienne—sorry, Lorne—and Mr. Drummond (RIP) and the sacrificial baby goat!—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
21 Mar. 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
-
Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
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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
Adjective
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How did so many Germans become contrite about the Nazi past?—
Gary J. Bass,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Smith has since resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has been apologetic to Rock for slapping him onstage following a G.I. Jane joke about Pinkett-Smith.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
25 Mar. 2025
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Stewart is chatty and candid in retelling the story, if not especially apologetic.—
Wendy Grossman Kantor,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The post quickly gained attention as people shared a variety of responses, from regretful admissions to justifications.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Just practice the regretful smile that should accompany the refusal.—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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