Find Synonyms

penance Synonyms

Another word for penance

Choosing another word for penance depends on context, so the 14 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

Voluntary self-punishment or a specific act performed to show remorse and make amends for a wrongdoing.

Usage Example

"He volunteered at the community shelter for a month as a form of atonement for his reckless behavior."

Strongest
atonement
expiation
Strong
reparation
amends
redress
mortification

• noun (Context 2)

A Christian sacrament in which a member of the Church confesses sins to a priest and is given absolution along with prescribed prayers or acts of devotion.

Usage Example

"During the season of Lent, many parishioners attend church services to receive the sacrament of confession."

Strongest
confession
reconciliation
Strong
shrift

• noun (Context 3)

A burdensome, tedious, or unpleasant task or experience endured out of duty.

Usage Example

"Listening to his three-hour lecture on tax regulations felt like a severe ordeal."

Strong
ordeal
trial
chore
burden
punishment

Opposites of penance

The opposite of penance shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

pleasure
delight
reward
treat
impunity
See all opposites of penance

• Nearby Words

penalization
penalize
penalty
penance
penchant
pencil
pencilsmelt

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Penance. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/penance
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