penance synonyms

penance

n.

  1. Voluntary punishment

    mortification, purgation, repentance, retribution, compensation, self-imposed atonement, self-flagellation, fasting, suffering, expiation, paenitentia (Latin), Beichte (German), sackcloth and ashes, hair shirt, inward penance, outward penance, reparation; see also punishment.

  2. A sacrament

    repentance, penitence, confession, absolution, sorrow for sin, contrition, remorse, forgiveness for sin; see also repentance, sacrament.

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
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