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penitent

[pen-i-tuhnt] / ˈpɛn ɪ tənt /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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The penitent Magdalene was a popular subject in Artemisia’s day, and several versions of the painting exist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

He’s genuflecting and appears penitent, it’s him with no public or private, shipwrecked in place in a way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2024

So then—can an inanimate tool such as this typewriter be penitent, reformed, and redeemed from the original sin of its creation?

From Slate ● Mar. 16, 2024

The early brawler, the reformed sage, the repeat offender, the penitent observer of silence, the strategist, the troublemaker, the king of the kids, the petulant self-justifier, the granular cricket analyst, the late-career paragon.

From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2023

But it was hard to feel penitent now, with Father Amadi s cologne deep in my lungs.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Among the most fervent processions is Seville’s La Macarena, which features 3,600 penitents and attracts thousands of bystanders.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 16, 2022

Known as La Madrugá, or The Dawn, the procession features penitents who wear pointed black hoods and carry a float of the Virgin of Hope of Macarena from the city's cathedral.

From Reuters ● Apr. 15, 2022

Ms. Atlani-Duault, the commission member, said the group had not carried out a quantitative analysis that would show how often penitents were steered toward confession when discussing sexual abuse.

From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2021

Religious movements emerged in response to the plague as well, like the Flagellants: groups of penitents who roamed the countryside, villages, and towns whipping themselves and begging God for forgiveness.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2020

On Holy Thursday, I brought my pan and towels along with the other penitents for washing the feet of the parishioners at the door of the church.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez


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