VocabDictionary

repentant

/rɪˈpɛntənt/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Feeling or expressing sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sins.

Example Sentences:
  • The repentant thief returned the stolen jewelry and offered a heartfelt apology to the victim.
  • He stood before the judge with a repentant expression, hoping for a more lenient sentence.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “repentant”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old French 'repentant', the present participle of 'repentir', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 're-penitere'. The prefix 're-' signifies 'again' or 'back', and 'penitere' means 'to cause to feel regret' (related to 'penance' and 'pain'). It entered Middle English in the 14th century to describe one who feels sorrow for their sins.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 're-pent' as 're-paying' for your sins; if you are repentant, you are ready to pay for your mistakes by changing your ways.

Frequently Asked Questions About “repentant

1. What is the meaning of “repentant” in English?

In English, repentant (adjective) is defined as: “Feeling or expressing sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sins.”.

2. How do you use “repentant” in a sentence?

The repentant thief returned the stolen jewelry and offered a heartfelt apology to the victim.

3. What are English synonyms of “repentant”?

Common synonyms include:remorseful,contrite,penitent,apologetic

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “repentant”?

Derived from the Old French 'repentant', the present participle of 'repentir', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 're-penitere'. The prefix 're-' signifies 'again' or 'back', and 'penitere' means 'to cause to feel regret' (related to 'penance' and 'pain'). It entered Middle English in the 14th century to describe one who feels sorrow for their sins.