penitence

Penitence is the state of having regret for doing something wrong.

(noun)

  1. An example of penitence is being upset and regretful of something you've done.
  2. An example of penitence is a girlfriend begging for her boyfriend to forgive her after she lied to him.

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See penitence in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the state of being penitent; repentance

Origin: OFr < L paenitentia

See penitence in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
The condition or quality of being penitent; regret for wrongdoing.

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