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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of penitent
In the wake of the AP's investigation last year, Republican state Rep. Phil Lyman and Democratic Rep. Angela Romero announced plans to reform Utah's clergy-penitent privilege loophole.
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Sam Metz, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023
Her husband’s sudden, violent reaction to the joke, and his subsequent Best Actor speech that bobbed and weaved over the line between defiant and penitent, swallowed the rest of the night whole.
—Caroline Framke, Variety, 27 Mar. 2022
However, lawmakers returned six years later to reinstate the clergy-penitent privilege.
—Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2020
Even if absolution is denied, though, the exchange between penitent and confessor is to remain confidential.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2019
See all Example Sentences for penitent 
Sam Metz, ajc, 1 Mar. 2023
Her husband’s sudden, violent reaction to the joke, and his subsequent Best Actor speech that bobbed and weaved over the line between defiant and penitent, swallowed the rest of the night whole.
—Caroline Framke, Variety, 27 Mar. 2022
However, lawmakers returned six years later to reinstate the clergy-penitent privilege.
—Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2020
Even if absolution is denied, though, the exchange between penitent and confessor is to remain confidential.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2019
See all Example Sentences for penitent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitent
Adjective
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What follows is a study in guilt, responsibility, and anguish, all told in ashamed interiority on Murphy’s face.Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
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When parents don’t replicate these behaviors in real life, kids might feel disappointed or even ashamed.Holly Garcia, Parents, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Maybe that’s Activision’s way of saying sorry for the rampant cheating that’s plagued Warzone lately.Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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For a country that prides itself on freedom, Florida’s book, class and topic bans are a sorry sight.Brayden Pryor, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The crew seems to have learned their lesson, or at least put on their most remorseful faces.Emma Soren, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024
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Caleb's very remorseful and his heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Parris family.Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In his new statement, Suga took an even more repentant tone, apologizing for damaging his reputation and disappointing fans while opening himself to any further punishment.Justin Curto, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2024
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Released 24 years after a debut verse on an album no less auspicious than Outkast’s Stankonia, this was a veteran artist taking stock, vividly drawing the lines between the struggling kid and the grateful, repentant adult.Christopher R. Weingarten, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Scotty was pretty contrite during the reunion, but Aria was clearly heartbroken.Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
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Guests might be more understanding of these lapses in service in amenities if room rates were reasonable and the hotels were more contrite.Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Women were expected to be apologetic and submissive.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Ayub as Adam is taciturn, hesitant and always apologetic, keeping his eyes downcast and his shoulders hunched.Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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A day later, Harbaugh wasn’t so much as regretful as he was discontented.Brian Wacker, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024
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He's earned this opportunity by growing into what appears to be a good young man after being, like many of us, a youth full of regretful decisions.Phil Hay, The Athletic, 3 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near penitent
Cite this Entry
“Penitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitent. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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