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Definition of penitence

penitence

/ˈpɛn.ɪ.təns/
pen · i · tence
Adverb:penitently
•
Plural:penitences
•
Adjective:penitent
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penitence Lexical Profile

penitence Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The feeling or action of showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.

Example

"He bowed his head in quiet penitence after realizing how deeply his careless remarks had hurt his friend."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for penitence
Antonyms
View all antonyms for penitence

Word Nuance & Usage

'Penitence' refers to the internal feeling of remorse for a wrongdoing, whereas 'penance' refers to an outward action or punishment voluntarily undertaken to express that remorse.

• Rhymes for penitence

• Nearby Words

peninsula
peninsular
penis
penitence
penitent
penitentiary
penitently

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Old French 'penitence', from Latin 'paenitentia' (regret, repentance), derived from the verb 'paenitere' (to cause to regret or repent).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Penitence. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/penitence
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