as in remorse
a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing
the sincerity of the player's penitence is questionable—he began to express remorse only after the suspension was handed down
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Recent Examples of penitence
It was initially conceived as a time of fasting and penitence, not unlike Lent, during which observant Christians prepared themselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
—
Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
Some could bring only fear, and the probability of future fear was dependent on the probability of past fear, as well as on the parent’s over-all chance of penitence.
—Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024
In many religions, the sacrifice of hair can signal penitence.
—Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023
In the justice system of early modern Europe, public executions offered a spectacle of both punishment and penitence.
—Katrina Gulliver, JSTOR Daily, 13 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for penitence
Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2024
Some could bring only fear, and the probability of future fear was dependent on the probability of past fear, as well as on the parent’s over-all chance of penitence.
—Weike Wang, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024
In many religions, the sacrifice of hair can signal penitence.
—Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023
In the justice system of early modern Europe, public executions offered a spectacle of both punishment and penitence.
—Katrina Gulliver, JSTOR Daily, 13 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for penitence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitence
Noun
-
Last month, Judge Sarah Willis granted a defense motion to allow for a lesser sentence, which was based on Desouza’s showing of remorse, young age, history of childhood trauma, and psychiatric issues.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Yet an outstanding cast, scripts that are perceptive about grief and remorse, and Hennie’s impressionistic directing more than make up for it.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Much of it is guilt by association — on the grounds, if nothing else, that elites should have known better than to associate with such a man.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The files are not findings of guilt, and some critics have raised concerns about releasing confidential and uncorroborated material concerning those who have not been charged with a crime.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It’s regarded as his greatest song ever, containing his favorite themes of violence, mortality, regret, and above all, loneliness, against the backdrop of the American wilderness.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But that's definitely my big regret.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pair it with their signature warm nuts drenched in Tap Roots’ homemade spicy maple syrup, which is destined to put the hot honey craze to shame once word gets out.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
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With the Presidents Day Weekend sales ushering in an abundance of deals on some of Amazon’s best loungewear sets, now’s the time to stock up on easy two-piece outfits that’ll put your current favorites to shame.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penitence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitence. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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