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
According to Vatican News, early Christians originally began preparing for Easter with just two days of fasting and penitence, which later turned into Holy Week.
—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
16 Feb. 2026
It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter, which falls on April 20 this year.
—
Helen H. Richardson,
The Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2025
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
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
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
16 Feb. 2026
It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter, which falls on April 20 this year.
—
Helen H. Richardson,
The Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2025
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
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
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Fort Worth residents can now weigh in on the next steps in a transportation project that has caused headaches and buyer’s remorse in a changing neighborhood.
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The communication reportedly did not seek payment and included language expressing remorse, a detail experts say is unusual in genuine ransom demands.
Noun
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There are other options, but regardless of what’s on the table for the future, burnout deserves to be taken seriously rather than explained away out of pride, guilt, or habit.
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Crafted with better-for-you ingredients, Javvy's Instant Protein Coffee blend and viral Coffee Concentrate deliver guilt-free indulgence, offering craveable flavors without compromise.
Noun
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Sherriff, who debuted with the Cardinals in 2017, expressed regret at never pitching at Dodger Stadium, citing the cumulative toll of 13 years of uncertainty.
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Using 10,000 rocks, more than seventy-five 80-pound bags of concrete, and over $1,000 in supplies, Ruggie has no regrets about his 14-foot deck burned in a shou sugi ban style.
Noun
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With wonder and with great shame the yodel is an orphaned sound, a sound that turns the serenade toward an addressee that is destined to never hear it.
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Altitude is going to be a leveller, just a shame there are no West Bromwich Albion players in the England squad.
Cite this Entry
“Penitence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitence. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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