penitence

[ pen-i-tuhns ]
See synonyms for penitence on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the state of being penitent; regret for one's wrongdoing or sinning; contrition; repentance.

Origin of penitence

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (from Old French ) from Medieval Latin pēnitentia, Latin paenitentia “a regretting, repentance.” See penitent, -ence

synonym study For penitence

See regret.

Words Nearby penitence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use penitence in a sentence

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

    Alone | Marion Harland
  • He left him, however, showing very little evidence of penitence, and entertaining for him very little hope.

    Charles Duran | The Author of The Waldos
  • Thus we have seven different degrees of penitence, and he who neglects them all must suffer in the world to come.