repent

¹

[ ri-pent ]

verb (used without object)

1. to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed by of ):

   He repented after his thoughtless act.

2. to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.

verb (used with object)

1. to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition:

   to repent one's injustice to another.

2. to feel sorry for; regret:

   to repent an imprudent act.

repent

²

[ ree-puhnt, ri-pent ]

adjective

1. creeping.

repent

¹

/ ˈriːpənt /

adjective

1. botany lying or creeping along the ground; reptant

   repent stems

repent

²

/ rɪˈpɛnt /

verb

1. to feel remorse (for); be contrite (about); show penitence (for)

   he repented his words

   he repents of his extravagance

Derived Forms

• reˈpenter, noun

Other Words From

• re·penter noun
• re·penting·ly adverb
• unre·pented adjective
• unre·penting adjective
• unre·penting·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of repent¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English repenten, from Old French repentir, from re- re- + pentir “to feel sorrow” (from Latin paenitēre “to regret, be sorry”; penitent )

Origin of repent²

First recorded in 1660–70; from Latin rēpent- stem of rēpēns “crawling,” present participle of rēpere “to crawl, creep”; perhaps akin to serpere “to creep, crawl” ( serpent ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of repent¹

C17: from Latin rēpere to creep

Origin of repent²

C13: from Old French repentir from re- + pentir to be contrite, from Latin paenitēre to repent

Example Sentences

“I always believed in God and Christ,” Foster said, “but I knew I wasn’t living for Him and I knew I needed to repent and turn my life over to Him and I’m not kidding you, I stood up and part of me was like, ‘Rod, you can’t give yourself to Christ — what are you going to tell your girlfriend, what are you going to tell your teammates?’

From Los Angeles Times

He also admonished them to be patient in pursuit of their dreams, to be guided by the Church, and to repent of any sins committed during the protests.

From BBC

After her sister left the church, Priscylla said, Shinn began coercing her by claiming she had to repent for Melanie’s actions.

From Los Angeles Times

In an ominous message, conservative congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia warned that, "God is sending America strong signs to tell us to repent. Earthquakes and eclipses and many more things to come."

From BBC

He asked the judge questions at his sentencing, including, “Does the record reflect that I repent in my sins?”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• apologize
• atone
• deplore