Penitent

Quick meaning: Penitent is an adjective meaning Feeling pain or sorrow on account of one's sins or offenses; feeling sincere guilt.

Meaning

Feeling pain or sorrow on account of one's sins or offenses; feeling sincere guilt.

More Meanings

1. Doing penance.
2. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of their transgressions.
3. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
4. One under the direction of a confessor.

Example Sentences

Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite.

[…] But we that know what ’tis to faſt and pray, / Are penitent for your default to day.

If thou be penitent and grieved, or desirous to be so, these heinous sins shall not be laid to thy charge.

Wamba, who defeated the Saracens in an attempt upon Spain, was deprived of the crown, because he had been clothed in the habit of a penitent, while labouring under the influence of poison, administered by the ambitious Erviga!

Word Forms

• penitant
• penitents

Synonyms for penitent

Depending on context, synonyms include repentant, contrite, remorseful, apologetic, guilt-ridden, rueful.

Antonyms for penitent

Common opposites include unrepentant, impenitent, unremorseful.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include contrite, repentant, penitential, sorry, remorseful, rueful.

Related Dictionary Tools