repent Hear it!

repent1 definition

re·pent (ri pent′)

intransitive verb

  1. to feel sorry or self-reproachful for what one has done or failed to do; be conscience-stricken or contrite: often with of
  2. to feel such regret or dissatisfaction over some past action, intention, etc. as to change one's mind about: often with of to repent of one's generosity
  3. to feel so contrite over one's sins as to change, or decide to change, one's ways; be penitent

Etymology: ME repenten < OFr repentir < VL repoenitere < L re-, again + poenitere, for paenitere: see penitent

transitive verb

  1. to feel sorry, contrite, or self-reproachful over (an error, sin, etc.)
  2. to feel such regret or dissatisfaction over as to change one's mind about to repent one's kindness

Related Forms:

repent2 definition

re·pent (rē′pənt)

adjective

Biol. creeping or crawling

Etymology: L repens, prp. of repere, to creep: see reptile

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

repent Synonyms

repent

v.

be sorry, be penitent, lament, atone; see apologize, regret 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

repent Usage Examples

Object

  • sinner: What is the definition, then, that the Lord gives of a repenting sinner?

Preposition: at

  • leisure: The court gave the argument short shrift, leaving the tenant to repent at leisure his having acted in haste.

Modifies a noun

  • ye: I tell you Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish ' .

Modifying Another Word

  • sincerely: We shall truly and sincerely repent and turn from our sin, thanking Jesus that He is our Savior.

Used with why or when

  • when: Bitterly did he blame himself and repent when repentance was of no avail.

Used with adjective complement

  • do: DYING MAN - Yes, my friend, I do repent.

Preposition: in

  • dust: So I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes.

Preposition: of

  • sin: We must repent of sin, or we cannot receive the blessings of salvation.

Preposition: for

  • sin: All of us, members of ROCOR like anyone else, need to repent for sins.

Present participle complement

  • have: She looked so sweetly pretty that I repented having outraged her so scandalously.
repent usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

repent quotes

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

-Bible (Old Testament)

And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying,The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

-Bible (NewTestament)

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.

-Bible (NewTestament)

repent quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"repent." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/repent>

APA Style

repent. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/repent

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