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penance

[pen-uhns] / ˈpɛn əns /


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.

Part of my penance was buying $50 worth of groceries for the house.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

The reader is invited to follow her often frightening pursuit of spiritual penance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

“If anything he had some kind of remorse and was on his penance campaign. Part of resolving himself was helping with noble endeavors,” Tramo said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

A cold-weather salad wants heat at its core, something warm enough to soften the greens and make the whole bowl feel like actual food rather than penance.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2025

As a kind of penance, he did not wash his face.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck




Vocabulary lists containing penance


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