Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

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.

There are the shamefaced former members, who confess their gullibility as a kind of penance; there are the cockamamie claims on which the belief system is based.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

A breakfast that feels more like penance than possibility.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 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

“If you were clean confessed, and had done penance and been absolved.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White




Vocabulary lists containing penance


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "penance" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com