as in penitent
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Recent Examples of penitential
The practices were somewhat penitential, but not as intense as those of Lent, and the spirit was much more preparation than penance.
—
WSJ, 4 Jan. 2024
The church released a statement on its website Thursday saying that, due to the desecration of the altar, Abbot Elijah Owens and the monastic community will undertake the penitential rite, reparation for the desecration and offer a Mass of Reparation.
—Monica Brich, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2023
Throughout Lent—the penitential season prior to Easter, which for the Orthodox is this Sunday—Ukrainian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, metropolitans, clergy, and scholars have been consumed with the issues of the war.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2022
The choir – split into two groups to accommodate social distancing – offers four works that touch on penitential themes.
—oregonlive, 22 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for penitential
WSJ, 4 Jan. 2024
The church released a statement on its website Thursday saying that, due to the desecration of the altar, Abbot Elijah Owens and the monastic community will undertake the penitential rite, reparation for the desecration and offer a Mass of Reparation.
—Monica Brich, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2023
Throughout Lent—the penitential season prior to Easter, which for the Orthodox is this Sunday—Ukrainian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, metropolitans, clergy, and scholars have been consumed with the issues of the war.
—Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2022
The choir – split into two groups to accommodate social distancing – offers four works that touch on penitential themes.
—oregonlive, 22 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for penitential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitential
Adjective
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When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
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But in the intervening months, Mr. Santos has struggled to maintain that penitent posture.—
Grace Ashford,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Saira’s overly apologetic personality renders her insufferable for most around her, but not Willow (Gemma Chua-Tran), a musically inclined, goth, non-binary person.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
8 July 2025
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Your tone should be matter-of-fact and confident, not apologetic.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Over these last weeks, however, I have been nudged into a repentant apology by his profound take on our political crisis and a sincere and accurate Christian analysis of the problems and deliberate practical steps the individual Christian citizen can take during this holy season.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
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Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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How did so many Germans become contrite about the Nazi past?—
Gary J. Bass,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.—
Anthony Paletta,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The legendary actor and Jaws star issued a remorseful statement on Friday, explaining why fans wouldn't be able to catch him at the annual event held this year on Saturday and Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo in Tampa.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
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Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss shared a remorseful video message over the weekend, revealing he had been hospitalized with viral bronchitis and would have to cancel his appearance at fan event SharkCon.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitential. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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