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
With an appropriately penitent look, Grant took a deep breath.
—
Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
But with Cash on the vocals, the song and the man singing are nearly penitent.
—Stephanie Kaloi and James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
But with Cash on the vocals, the song and the man singing are nearly penitent.
—Stephanie Kaloi and James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
-
However, for some residents, the monument and its history are nothing to be ashamed of.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
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Contrary to popular belief, a bed bug infestation can happen to anyone, even people who have spotless homes—so there’s no reason to be ashamed of an infestation.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
And so his hand was basically forced to be like, ‘Oh, sorry, my bandmember has serious mental-health problems.—
William Earl,
Variety,
21 July 2025
-
The Hunting Wives begins with a pretty basic soap opera premise: Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow) has just moved from Boston—sorry, Cambridge, where the show keeps reminding us Harvard is—to small-town Texas for her husband Graham’s (Evan Jonigkeit) new job.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss shared a remorseful video message over the weekend, revealing he had been hospitalized with viral bronchitis and would have to cancel his appearance at fan event SharkCon.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
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The legendary actor and Jaws star issued a remorseful statement on Friday, explaining why fans wouldn't be able to catch him at the annual event held this year on Saturday and Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo in Tampa.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Over these last weeks, however, I have been nudged into a repentant apology by his profound take on our political crisis and a sincere and accurate Christian analysis of the problems and deliberate practical steps the individual Christian citizen can take during this holy season.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
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Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 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
-
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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Before their sentencing, Roger and Nigh were deeply apologetic.—
Emma Moon
July 16,
Charlotte Observer,
16 July 2025
-
In the clip, Kardashian, Watts, and Nash-Betts can be seen holding an introductory meeting with an overwhelmed and apologetic client, played by Elizabeth Berkley.—
Emlyn Travis Published,
EW.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
-
Kim’s regretful aria in Act 1 — suspecting his own brother of his father’s murder, Artaserse has mistakenly ordered him to be executed — was a turning point.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
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Even really successful cast members are a little regretful or self-deprecating about it, or feel anxious even talking about it.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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