repentance
gb/ɹɪpˈɛntəns/ us/ɹɪpˈɛntəns/
B2
English
~ 26100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
state
1
deep regret and desire to change
A strong feeling of being very sorry for bad things you did, and wanting to live in a better way.
Usage pattern:
feel [repentance] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "repentance" with "penance". "Repentance" is the feeling and decision to turn away from wrong behavior, while "penance" is an act or punishment done to show that regret. Also, "repentance" is usually uncountable: we say "show repentance", not "show a repentance" in most contexts.
Synonyms
remorse (Focuses more on painful emotional regret, without always implying a decision to change future behavior.)
|
contrition (A formal word, often used in religious or legal contexts, for deep regret and shame for wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
defiance (Shows open refusal to admit wrongdoing or change behavior, the opposite attitude of repentance.)
|
indifference (Lack of concern about one’s wrongdoing, without the regret or desire to change that marks repentance.)
Collocations
feel repentance
|show repentance
|true repentance
|genuine repentance
|signs of repentance
|repentance for [his/her/their] actions
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The judge reduced his sentence because he showed genuine repentance for his crimes.
- Years later, she wrote a letter of repentance to the people she had hurt.
- His public apology sounded more like damage control than real repentance.
- Out of repentance, he tried to make amends to everyone he had lied to.
- Her tears were not just for shame, but for deep repentance and a wish to live differently.
Learner examples
- He felt strong repentance after he hurt his friend.
- Her words showed real repentance for what she did.
- The man spoke in repentance and asked for another chance.
- Because of his repentance, his boss decided to forgive him.
unknown
formal
C1
action
2
religious turning from sin to God
In religion, being truly sorry for your sins and deciding to turn away from them and follow God.
Usage pattern:
call [someone] to repentance
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in religious English, "repentance" often includes not just feeling sorry but also confessing sin and changing behavior. It is more than a simple apology. They also sometimes use it in casual, joking contexts where native speakers would normally say "I’m sorry" or "I feel bad," making the tone sound too religious or serious.
Synonyms
penitence (A formal and mainly religious word for regret for sins; it can focus more on the attitude than on the full turning of life implied by repentance.)
|
conversion (In religious use, often stresses the whole change of belief and life; repentance is one key part of that larger process.)
Antonyms
impenitence (Refusal to feel sorrow for sins or to turn from them, the direct opposite of religious repentance.)
|
rebellion (Active resistance against God or divine law, contrasted with repentance, which is a return to obedience.)
Collocations
call to repentance
|preach repentance
|repentance from sin
|repentance and faith
|baptism of repentance
Themes
religion
|ethics
|emotions
Examples
- The prophet’s message was a call to national repentance and renewal before God.
- In many Christian traditions, baptism is closely linked with repentance and the forgiveness of sins.
- The preacher spoke about repentance as a complete turning of the heart from sin to God.
- The day of fasting was set aside for prayer and repentance.
- According to the sermon, true repentance leads to a changed life, not just words.
Learner examples
- The pastor invited people to come forward in repentance.
- In the story, the king showed repentance and asked God for help.
- Many religions teach that repentance is needed for forgiveness.
- He prayed a prayer of repentance after many years away from his faith.
Grammar
Dictionary form
repentance
IPA
GB/ɹɪpˈɛntəns/
US/ɹɪpˈɛntəns/
Syllables & stress
re - pent - ance (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pent)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: repentance
- Plural: repentance
Word family
Expressions
call to repentance
1/kˈɔl tə ɹɪpˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
formal
appeal to turn from sin
A message that asks people to be sorry for their sins and change how they live.
Examples
- The speech was less a political plan and more a moral call to repentance.
- The prophet’s warning served as a call to repentance for the whole city.
prayer of repentance
1/pɹˈɛɹ əv ɹɪpˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
formal
prayer asking forgiveness for sins
A prayer where someone tells God they are sorry for their sins and asks for forgiveness.
Examples
- At the end of the service, the congregation said a short prayer of repentance together.
- He wrote his own prayer of repentance and read it every night.
repentance and faith
1/ɹɪpˈɛntəns ˈænd fˈeɪθ/
fixed phrase
formal
turning from sin and trusting God
In many Christian churches, the two main steps of becoming a believer: turning away from sin (repentance) and trusting in God or Christ (faith).
Examples
- The speaker summarized the message of the gospel as a call to repentance and faith.
- In his tradition, repentance and faith are seen as two sides of the same response to God.
true repentance
1/tɹˈu ɹɪpˈɛntəns/
fixed phrase
formal
repentance that is sincere and real
Repentance that is honest and deep, and leads to a real change in how a person lives.
Examples
- The teacher said that true repentance is shown by changed actions, not just by words.
- Her decision to pay back the stolen money was a sign of true repentance.