penitence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "penitence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of remorse or regret for one's wrongdoing or sin. Example: "After reflecting on his actions, he felt a deep sense of penitence for the hurt he had caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

During his trial at the Old Bailey, Maclaine confessed his crimes with exaggerated penitence.

The Guardian - Film

UBS will need more than a show of penitence to regain the initiative.

The Economist

Egypt has reduced its prison population of jihadist suspects from an estimated 20,000 in the late 1990s to below 5,000 today.Yet some people doubt the effectiveness of either re-education or high-profile penitence in reducing the jihadist urge.

The Economist

That might offer a convenient way out for foreign governments anxious to see any sign of official penitence.

The Economist

"I saw none of the penitence, none of the compromise that many ultra-liberal analysts saw," Mr Schmidt says.In this section A derailment coming Biting the hand that feeds you A chance or a trap?

The Economist

This week it hosted several million Shia pilgrims without serious incident.Many of the visitors had walked from the far corners of Iraq, a traditional expression of penitence for the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson at the hands of a cruel Sunni caliph.

The Economist

They performed constant self-sacrifice in the form of bloodletting as penitence (by passing barbed cords through the tongue and ears).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Avinu Malkenu, (Hebrew: "Our Father, Our King"), the opening words of each verse of a Jewish litany of supplication that is recited in synagogues with special devotion during the Ten Days of Penitence (except on the sabbath), which mark the beginning of the new religious year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mother of Didier of Cahors addressed to her son letters of edification on the fear of God, on the horror of vice, and on penitence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Greetings to one whose penitence is sheer delusion!… What about a sensuous virgin-girl with wonderful breasts?"….

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pennsylvania system, penal method based on the principle that solitary confinement fosters penitence and encourages reformation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "penitence", ensure the context clearly indicates sincere remorse or regret for wrongdoing. Avoid using it lightly or sarcastically, as it implies a deep sense of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid confusing "penitence", which is the internal feeling of remorse, with "penance", which is an act performed to show repentance. Use "penitence" to describe a state of mind and "penance" to describe an action.

Linguistic Context

Penitence functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state of feeling sorrow or regret for having committed a wrong act. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in describing internal states and external displays of remorse. It's often used in contexts involving moral or ethical transgressions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

News & Media

33%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "penitence" is a noun that describes a state of remorse or regret for wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It's commonly used in formal contexts, such as news and media and encyclopedias, to convey a deep sense of moral responsibility. Related terms include "remorse", "contrition", and "repentance", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to distinguish "penitence" (the feeling) from "penance" (the act). Use "penitence" when you want to express sincere regret and a sense of moral failing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remorse

A feeling of deep regret, typically for a wrong act. It suggests a more profound and lasting regret than "penitence".

contrition

Sincere remorse for wrongdoing; repentance. It often carries a stronger religious connotation than "penitence".

repentance

The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse. Emphasizes the act of turning away from sin or wrongdoing.

compunction

A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad. It implies a prick of conscience.

regret

A feeling of sadness, disappointment, or repentance about something that one has done or failed to do. It's a more general term than "penitence".

remorsefulness

Characterized by deep regret and guilt for wrongdoing. It focuses on the state of being filled with remorse.

ruefulness

Expressing sorrow or regret, often in a slightly humorous way. It suggests a gentler form of regret than "penitence".

self-reproach

The act of blaming oneself for wrongdoing. It emphasizes the internal criticism associated with guilt.

penance

Voluntary self-punishment inflicted as an outward expression of repentance for having done wrong. "Penitence" is the internal feeling, while "penance" is the external act.

attrition

Sorrow for sin arising from fear of punishment, as distinct from contrition. Purely motivated by the consequences, not genuine regret.

FAQs

How to use "penitence" in a sentence?

"Penitence" is a noun that describes the state of feeling sorrow or regret for having done something wrong. For example, "He expressed his "penitence" for the crimes he had committed."

What can I say instead of "penitence"?

You can use alternatives like "remorse", "contrition", or "repentance" depending on the context.

Is "penitence" a formal word?

Yes, "penitence" is generally considered a formal word. In less formal contexts, words like "regret" or "remorse" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "penitence" and "penance"?

"Penitence" refers to the feeling of regret or remorse for one's sins or wrongdoings, while "penance" refers to an act of self-punishment or atonement to express that regret. "Penitence" is internal, and "penance" is external.