Meaning & use
Penitence
Last updated
Sincere sorrow or regret for having done wrong, especially with a genuine desire to make amends.
See it in a sentence
He showed deep penitence for the years he had spent estranged from his family.
The ritual is meant to inspire penitence and reflection during the holy season.
A note on using this word
Closely tied to religious tradition, where penitence often precedes formal acts of penance or confession.
Words with a similar meaning
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Words with an opposite meaning
impenitence
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