repent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'repent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to expressing sorrow for a wrong or misdeed and to refer to changing one's behaviour for the better. Example sentence: The thief repented for their crime and promised to never steal again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I do not repent for what I have done".

The Guardian

Presented with a national calamity that also constituted a political opportunity, nothing stood between them and all the mistakes that haste can make for their children's children to repent at leisure.

The Guardian - Tech

– It is difficult to conceive why they should select a situation apparently so ineligible, and so incompatible with their usual shy and cautious habits, as the centre of a large town; but we hope they will not be molested, and that they will have no cause to repent the confidence they have thus reposed in mankind.

The Guardian

"Any allegations leveled against a person concerning their past are irrelevant as long as they hope for Allah's mercy and sincerely repent from any previous misguidance," it said.

The Guardian

And Russia itself may come to repent if it encourages a rising China to behave aggressively abroad.

The Economist

While he was in prison Miss Li wrote to him regularly about the need for them both to repent their crimes and work for the party to make the world perfect, which must have pleased the prison censor.Occasionally she visited him in jail.

The Economist

A hapless Mr Fankhauser was then forced to explain that the firm had not in fact made a profit on the tragedy, claiming that figure was the portion of the award that had been pocketed by the firm and that the rest had gone to insurers.Thomas Cook may yet have further cause to repent.

The Economist

But decline stopped short of disaster, because Leeds never depended on a single industry, as Sheffield did on steel or Bradford on cloth.In this section The new-look BBC Overreact in haste, repent at leisure Streets paved with brass Estimating her bequest What a carve-up A mite unfair Sick of waiting ReprintsFading industries have re-emerged in new guises.

The Economist

Mrs Warren has called on evangelicals to repent for their apathetic attitude to AIDS victims and, unlike Mr Falwell, stresses compassion.

The Economist

But his life is not too constrained: he still has a mobile phone and satellite TV.Special report Repent at leisure Paradise foreclosed The morning after Betting the balance-sheet A better bust?

The Economist

In short, it paid to borrow and it paid to lend.Special report Repent at leisure Paradise foreclosed The morning after Betting the balance-sheet A better bust?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "repent" in a religious context, ensure that the subject is genuinely remorseful and intends to change their behavior. The act of repenting should involve both acknowledging the wrong and committing to a different path.

Common error

Avoid using "repent" lightly to simply express sorrow without a commitment to change. True repentance involves not just feeling bad about a mistake, but actively working to correct it and prevent its recurrence.

Linguistic Context

The verb "repent" primarily functions to express remorse or regret for one's actions and a commitment to change. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, indicating its correct application in expressing sorrow and fostering behavioral modification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "repent" is a verb used to express remorse for one's actions and a commitment to change. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate that it's often found in news and media, formal business contexts, and discussions of science. When writing, remember that true repentance involves not just feeling bad, but actively working to correct mistakes. Consider using alternatives like "feel remorse" or "express regret" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember that "repent" can have formal and informal usage patterns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be penitent

Describes a state of feeling or expressing remorse for sins or misdeeds.

show contrition

Highlights demonstrating sincere remorse and regret.

feel remorse

Focuses on the emotional aspect of regret rather than the action of changing behavior.

express regret

Indicates a verbal or outward display of sorrow for a past action.

mend your ways

Implies improving one's behavior and correcting past mistakes.

atone for

Emphasizes making amends or compensating for a wrong action.

turn over a new leaf

Focuses on changing one's behavior and starting anew.

do penance

Suggests performing an act of self-punishment to show remorse.

rue the day

Expresses intense sorrow or regret about something that happened.

take responsibility

Highlights acknowledging and accepting the consequences of one's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "repent" in a sentence?

You can use "repent" to express sorrow for a wrong or misdeed and to refer to changing one's behavior for the better. For example, "He decided to "repent" for his actions and make amends."

What are some alternatives to saying "repent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "feel remorse", "express regret", or "atone for".

What does it mean to "repent" in a religious context?

In a religious context, "repent" signifies a deep sorrow for one's sins and a commitment to turn away from them and seek forgiveness from God. It involves a genuine change of heart and behavior.

Is it ever too late to "repent"?

While religious and ethical perspectives may vary, the general understanding is that it is never too late to "repent" as long as there is genuine remorse and a desire to change one's ways.