penance
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.
Starting in the fourth century, pilgrimages were served up by the church as a way for Christians to pay penance for their sins.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
As if doing penance for the past, all four of the film’s stars are associated with superhero franchises.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026
In mitigation, Carruthers' barrister Andrew Gurney said the mechanic from Wigton would carry the burden of regret for his "stupid act" as a "personal penance" for the rest of his life.
From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025
They straddle the line between indulgence and wellness, pleasure and penance.
From Salon • May 19, 2025
They had been halfhearted tokens of penance, insincere, corrupt gestures meant more for his own appeasement than hers.
From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini
Vocabulary lists containing penance
Fahrenheit 451
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The Poet X
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The Joy Luck Club
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