PENITENCE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'penitence' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of penitence are compunction , contrition , remorse , and repentance . While all these words mean "regret for sin or wrongdoing," penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds. // absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

Q: Where would 'compunction' be a reasonable alternative to 'penitence'?

While in some cases nearly identical to penitence , compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing. // had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

Q: When could 'contrition' be used to replace 'penitence'?

The meanings of contrition and penitence largely overlap; however, contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence. // tearful expressions of contrition

Q: When can 'remorse' be used instead of 'penitence'?

While the synonyms remorse and penitence are close in meaning, remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied. // thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

Q: In what contexts can 'repentance' take the place of 'penitence'?

The words repentance and penitence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change. // repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

penitence

noun

ˈpe-nə-tən(t)s

Definition of penitence

as in remorse

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing the sincerity of the player's penitence is questionable—he began to express remorse only after the suspension was handed down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word penitence distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of penitence are compunction, contrition, remorse, and repentance. While all these words mean "regret for sin or wrongdoing," penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

Where would compunction be a reasonable alternative to penitence?

While in some cases nearly identical to penitence, compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

When could contrition be used to replace penitence?

The meanings of contrition and penitence largely overlap; however, contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.

tearful expressions of contrition

When can remorse be used instead of penitence?

While the synonyms remorse and penitence are close in meaning, remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

In what contexts can repentance take the place of penitence?

The words repentance and penitence are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of penitence But after a perfunctory squeeze, her father lays his head on her shoulder in a gesture of affectionate, put-on penitence. — Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 According to Vatican News, early Christians originally began preparing for Easter with just two days of fasting and penitence, which later turned into Holy Week. — Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 16 Feb. 2026 It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter, which falls on April 20 this year. — Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025 In the justice system of early modern Europe, public executions offered a spectacle of both punishment and penitence. — Katrina Gulliver, JSTOR Daily, 13 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for penitence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitence

Noun

The supremely overconfident Graver finally shows some remorse for the damage their dirty work has inflicted on innocent lives.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
The judge also weighed mitigating factors, including that Molloy was experiencing difficult personal circumstances, stopped of his own volition and had shown genuine remorse.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of remorse

Noun

There is nothing left in the tank, and there are no regrets in my heart.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
What galls, perhaps, is less the accident itself than the absence of a person stepping out from behind the wheel, having a human experience of horror and regret.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of regret

Noun

The French gêne par procuration delegates discomfort, while the German Fremdschämen means foreign shame.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
While the imposing box set itself is a portable 12-pound film school and an instant status symbol on your shelf, there’s no shame in clicking over for a preview.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

Browse Nearby Words

peninsulas

penitence

penitent

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Penitence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitence. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of penitence

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes