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
But in the intervening months, Mr. Santos has struggled to maintain that penitent posture.
—
Grace Ashford, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Grace Ashford, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
-
Losing to Philadelphia is nothing to be ashamed of, but Kansas City simply doesn't usually allow losses to pile on top of each other.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Also, Florida State and Oklahoma should be ashamed of themselves for scheduling Kent State.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Although fossil fieldwork is never as simple as removing loose sediment with a paintbrush (sorry, Steven Spielberg), Arctic fieldwork is in a league of its own.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Now 1-1 on the season, Maye will certainly face less scrutiny as the Patriots prepare for Aaron Rodgers (Maye’s favorite quarterback growing up – sorry Patriots fans) and the Steelers to come to Gillette Stadium next week.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
All my remorseful online purchases happened during the pandemic.—
Justin Caffier,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lucky for the Eagles, a remorseful Carter won't receive a suspension for his spit.—
Jim Reineking,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
On Monday, after the dust had settled, the veteran issued a contrite apology.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The dispatches from one of India’s most troubled generic drug makers were contrite, filled with far-reaching promises to clean up its factory, stop contamination and send safe medication to Americans counting on the company’s drugs.—
Megan Rose,
ProPublica,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
His tone was elegiac, but not apologetic.—
Beth Lew-Williams,
New Yorker,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In a few short years, my plaintive, pleading tone would seem awkward and apologetic, compared to the confrontational calls on campuses for a free Palestine from the river to the sea, or Kneecap’s concert criticisms.—
Philip Metres
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The stories were humorous and poignant, regretful and filled with silver linings.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
25 Aug. 2025
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Weapon art: Call regretful visages in a swirl of smoke.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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