Penitence: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in religious or formal settings when expressing regret for wrongdoing. It indicates a deep and sincere feeling of guilt and a desire to make amends.

• He showed his penitence by volunteering at the church every weekend.
• In a moment of penitence, she apologized to all those she had hurt.

Repentance is often used when someone not only feels regret for their actions but also commits to changing their behavior to avoid making the same mistakes in the future. It is frequently used in both religious and secular contexts.

• The criminal expressed genuine repentance and vowed to turn his life around.
• Her journey towards repentance started with acknowledging her faults and seeking forgiveness.

Contrition is commonly used to describe a heartfelt sorrow for sins or wrongdoings, usually accompanied by a sense of humility. It often has a distinctly religious context.

• Her contrition was evident when she knelt and prayed for forgiveness.
• The look of contrition on his face suggested he deeply regretted his actions.

Remorse is a strong feeling of regret and guilt for something bad that one has done. It is often used in secular contexts to express intense feelings of personal guilt.

• He felt deep remorse for the mistakes he had made.
• Remorse filled her heart after the harsh words she said to her friend.

This word is used to describe a feeling of sincere regret or remorse for one’s wrongdoing or sin. It is often used in a religious or spiritual context.

• She showed great penitence for her actions during the confession.
• His penitence was evident when he apologized to everyone he had wronged.

Penance is often used in religious contexts and refers to voluntary self-punishment or actions taken to express repentance for wrongdoing. It usually involves some form of sacrifice or effort to show remorse.

• As an act of penance, he volunteered at the homeless shelter for a month.
• The priest gave her a penance to say several prayers and help others.

Atonement is used to make amends or reparations for a wrong or injury. Often associated with religious contexts, it can also be used in a broader sense to speak about reconciling or making things right.

• He sought atonement for his past mistakes by working in the community.
• In many religions, atonement rituals are a way to seek forgiveness.

This term is used to describe the act of punishing oneself, often due to feelings of guilt or regret. It has a more psychological or emotional aspect and often carries a negative connotation.

• He engaged in self-punishment by depriving himself of sleep after his failure.
• Her self-punishment took the form of isolating herself from friends and family.