Synonyms of penitence

penitence

noun

ˈpe-nə-tən(t)s 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remorse
• guilt
• regret
• remorsefulness
• shame
• repentance
• contrition
• contriteness
• grief
• self-reproach
• sadness
• rue
• sorrow
• apology
• compunction
• anguish
• blame
• culpability
• scruple
• responsibility
• embarrassment
• qualm
• distress
• chagrin
• misgiving
• prick
• ruth
• excuses
• rap
• fault
• liability
• bloodguilt
• bloodguiltiness
• hand-wringing
• mea culpa

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impenitence
• remorselessness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word penitence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of penitence are compunction, contrition, remorse, and repentance. While all these words mean "regret for sin or wrongdoing," penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

Where would compunction be a reasonable alternative to penitence?

While in some cases nearly identical to penitence, compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

When could contrition be used to replace penitence?

The meanings of contrition and penitence largely overlap; however, contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.

tearful expressions of contrition

When can remorse be used instead of penitence?

While the synonyms remorse and penitence are close in meaning, remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

In what contexts can repentance take the place of penitence?

The words repentance and penitence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of penitence

In many religions, the sacrifice of hair can signal penitence. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2023

An attempt by one German activist to shift attention to Russia’s current war showed just how ingrained the traditional focus on World War II penitence has become. —Ekaterina Bodyagina, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2023

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the last day of indulgence allowed before the period of fasting and penitence. —al, 22 Feb. 2023

Guilt, confession, penitence — this legacy vocabulary of criminal justice calls back to a time when confinement was about reform and salvation, before modern punishment turned exclusively on physical torture, the amateur savagery of shower-rape jokes, random beat-downs, the cruelty of solitary. —New York Times, 7 June 2022