penitential

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 penitential Sanctuary had for centuries grown detached from penitential discipline and become incorporated within royal criminal law, while the church’s emphasis shifted from the sacrality of space to jurisdictional immunity, which in turn became more closely linked to royal grants. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020 The church released a statement on its website Thursday saying that, due to the desecration of the altar, Abbot Elijah Owens and the monastic community will undertake the penitential rite, reparation for the desecration and offer a Mass of Reparation. Monica Brich, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2023 Throughout Lent—the penitential season prior to Easter, which for the Orthodox is this Sunday—Ukrainian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, metropolitans, clergy, and scholars have been consumed with the issues of the war. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2022 Established and state-regulated by the late fourth century, Christian sanctuary was based in episcopal intercession and penitential discipline; it was intended to spare the body the worst consequences of crime and thereby to save the soul from the everlasting implications of sin. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020 See All Example Sentences for penitential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitential
Adjective
  • Your penitent correspondent humbly submits that the whole ritual has jumped the shark in Northeast Ohio.
    Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
  • With an appropriately penitent look, Grant took a deep breath.
    Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The drafts, sent back and forth between Bub and trustees, shift dramatically in tone from angry and defensive to conciliatory and apologetic to concise and professional.
    Carly Flandro, Idaho Statesman, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Smith has since resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and has been apologetic to Rock for slapping him onstage.
    Michael Saponara, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • How did so many Germans become contrite about the Nazi past?
    Gary J. Bass, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
  • 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
  • Eric claims to be remorseful, and makes a big point of it.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Hoffman acknowledges the crime and is deeply remorseful, his attorney, Cecelia Kappel, told USA TODAY.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitential. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!