If you show repentance for something wrong that you have done, you make it clear that you are sorry for doing it.
They showed no repentance during their trial.
Synonyms: regret, guilt, grief, sorrow More Synonyms of repentance
repentance in British English
(rɪˈpɛntəns)
noun
1.
remorse or contrition for one's past actions or sins
2.
an act or the process of being repentant; penitence
repentance in American English
(rɪˈpɛntəns)
noun
a repenting or being penitent; feeling of sorrow, etc., esp. for wrongdoing; compunction; contrition; remorse
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈpenitence
Examples of 'repentance' in a sentence
repentance
True repentance is necessarily a difficult process.
Christianity Today (2000)
It looks more like reluctant tactics than true repentance.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
She was soon convinced that his repentance was genuine.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The unjustly convicted who refuses to show repentance for a murder he did not commit fails to meet the first requirement of any parole board.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
For forgiveness to be meaningful, there has to be remorse and repentance on the part of the person who did the damage.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Quotations
Repentance is the virtue of weak mindsJohn DrydenThe Indian Emperor
Amendment is repentanceThomas FullerGnomologia
Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentanceBible: St. Luke
In other languages
repentance
British English: repentance NOUN
If you show repentance for something wrong that you have done, you make it clear that you are sorry for doing it.
They showed no repentance during their trial.
American English: repentance
Brazilian Portuguese: arrependimento
Chinese: 悔悟
European Spanish: arrepentimiento
French: repentir
German: Reue
Italian: pentimento
Japanese: 後悔
Korean: 반성
European Portuguese: arrependimento
Latin American Spanish: arrepentimiento
(noun)
They showed no repentance during their trial.
Synonyms
regret
He has no regrets about retiring.
guilt
Her emotions went from anger to guilt in the space of a few seconds.
grief
Their grief soon gave way to anger.
sorrow
It was a time of great sorrow.
remorse
She has shown no remorse for her actions.
contrition
She is full of contrition and has vowed to change her ways.
compunction
I had no compunction about stealing from my parents.
penitence
She hung her head in mock penitence.
self-reproach
sackcloth and ashes
sorriness
Quotations
Repentance is the virtue of weak minds [John Dryden – The Indian Emperor]Amendment is repentance [Thomas Fuller – Gnomologia]Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance [Bible: St. Luke]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of compunction
Definition
a feeling of guilt or regret
I had no compunction about stealing from my parents.
Synonyms
guilt,
misgiving,
qualm,
scruples,
regret,
reluctance,
sorrow,
remorse,
repentance,
contrition,
penitence,
stab or sting of conscience,
work out
in the sense of contrition
She is full of contrition and has vowed to change her ways.
Synonyms
regret,
sorrow,
remorse,
repentance,
compunction,
penitence,
self-reproach
in the sense of grief
Definition
deep or intense sorrow
Their grief soon gave way to anger.
Synonyms
sadness,
suffering,
pain,
regret,
distress,
misery,
agony,
mourning,
sorrow,
woe,
anguish,
remorse,
bereavement,
heartache,
heartbreak,
mournfulness,
dejection
Nearby words of
repentance
repel
repellent
repent
repentance
repentant
repercussion
repertoire
Synonyms of 'repentance'
repentance
Explore 'repentance' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of guilt
Definition
remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one has done something wrong
Her emotions went from anger to guilt in the space of a few seconds.
Synonyms
shame,
regret,
remorse,
contrition,
guilty conscience,
bad conscience,
self-reproach,
self-condemnation,
guiltiness
in the sense of penitence
She hung her head in mock penitence.
Synonyms
repentance,
shame,
regret,
sorrow,
remorse,
contrition,
compunction,
self-reproach,
ruefulness
in the sense of remorse
Definition
a sense of deep regret and guilt for something one did
She has shown no remorse for her actions.
Synonyms
regret,
shame,
guilt,
pity,
grief,
compassion,
sorrow,
anguish,
repentance,
contrition,
compunction,
penitence,
self-reproach,
pangs of conscience,
ruefulness,
bad or guilty conscience
in the sense of sackcloth and ashes
Definition
an exaggerated attempt to apologize or compensate for a mistake or wrongdoing
Synonyms
penitence,
grief,
mourning,
remorse,
penance,
repentance,
contrition,
compunction,
mortification,
hair shirt
in the sense of sorrow
Definition
deep sadness or regret, associated with death or sympathy for another's misfortune