penitence Hear it!

penitence Definition

peni·tence (pen′i təns)

noun

the state of being penitent; repentance

Etymology: OFr < L paenitentia

penitence Synonyms

penitence

n.

remorse, repentance, contrition; see penance 1, 2, regret 1, repentance. See syn. study at repentance.

penitence Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • express: Here too we express penitence both for our neglect and for having sometimes regarded evangelism and social concern as mutually exclusive.
  • preach: In 1212 he sent out the brethren, two and two, to reform the world by preaching penitence.
  • doubt: If you doubt the penitence as a practical fact, there are your knives and forks.

Adjective modifier

  • genuine: Genuine penitence and faith are seen in terms of justice and caring love.
  • true: Rather God forgives only the penitent and one of the chief evidences of true penitence is a forgiving spirit.
  • public: It was a wonderful display of public penitence, the like of which we have not seen for a good while.