penitence

[ pen-i-tuhns ]

noun

1. the state of being penitent; regret for one's wrongdoing or sinning; contrition; repentance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of penitence¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (from Old French ) from Medieval Latin pēnitentia, Latin paenitentia “a regretting, repentance.” See penitent, -ence

Synonym Study

See regret.

Example Sentences

Let them retire from public life and reflect with penitence on what we have seen today.

From Washington Post

Could the largest living icon of communism really be on the verge of penitence?

From The Daily Beast

Yet she still fasted, in penitence, and ministered to other sick people and to the elderly.

From The Daily Beast

“Everybody is redeemable if they show sufficient penitence,” former New York City Mayor Ed Koch said in an interview.

From The Daily Beast

She had no penitence, no consciousness of error or offence; no knowledge of any one circumstance but that he was gone.

From Project Gutenberg

There were other rebellions against God during this time of penitence.

From Project Gutenberg

My tears are not those of penitence; I do not weep for my sinfulness; I can neither think nor feel in this confusion.

From Project Gutenberg

He left him, however, showing very little evidence of penitence, and entertaining for him very little hope.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus we have seven different degrees of penitence, and he who neglects them all must suffer in the world to come.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contrition
• penance
• repentance