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

repent¹ Related Forms

re·pent′er noun

repent² Definition

re·pent (rē′pənt)

adjective

Biol. creeping or crawling

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

repent Synonyms

repent

v.

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

repent Usage Examples

Object

  • sinner: What is the definition, then, that the Lord gives of a repenting sinner?
  • mean: To repent means to turn from one direction in life to another.
  • sin: Together we repent the sin of perpetuating our division.

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.
  • bitterly: I still bitterly repent the time I spent in Satan's service.
  • truly: They are only likely to stop if they have truly repented of the action.
  • genuinely: So he is not referring to people who, when they sin, genuinely repent.
  • never: I should never repent of giving myself wholly to you.
  • therefore: Remember, O thou man, How thou art dead and gone, And I did what I can: Therefore repent!

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.
  • jail: All they do is demand money from us or force us to repent in jail!

Preposition: of

  • sin: We must repent of sin, or we cannot receive the blessings of salvation.
  • evil: Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

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.