Definition

1. Noun:
   • Remorse for your past conduct: A deep feeling of regret or sorrow for something wrong that one has done, often accompanied by a desire to change or make amends.

Usage

• Repentance typically involves acknowledging one's wrongdoing, feeling genuine sorrow about it, and often includes a commitment to change behavior or seek forgiveness.
• It is commonly used in religious, moral, and personal contexts to describe a sincere turning away from past sins or mistakes.

Examples

• Noun:
  • His repentance was sincere, and he vowed never to lie again.
  • True repentance requires more than just feeling sorry; it requires a change of heart and action.
  • The preacher spoke about the importance of repentance and forgiveness.

Advanced Usage

• "To show/express/demonstrate repentance": To visibly or verbally indicate one's remorse.
  • The defendant showed deep repentance for his crimes during the sentencing hearing.
• "A gesture of repentance": An action taken to symbolize or enact one's remorse.
  • Donating the stolen money back was a powerful gesture of repentance.

Variants and Related Words

• Repent (verb): To feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.
  • He deeply repented his harsh words.
• Repentant (adjective): Feeling or showing remorse for one's sins or mistakes.
  • She was repentant and asked for a chance to make things right.
• Penitence (noun): A close synonym, meaning the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong.
  • He expressed his penitence through prayer and fasting.

Synonyms

• Remorse: Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
• Contrition: The state of feeling remorseful and penitent.
• Compunction: A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that follows a misdeed.

Antonyms

• Impenitence: The state of not feeling regret or sorrow for one's sins or mistakes.
• Defiance: Open resistance or bold disobedience, without remorse.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Repentance is the first step to redemption": A proverb meaning that acknowledging and regretting one's wrongs is necessary to be saved or forgiven.
• "To come to repentance": To reach a state of sincere remorse.
  • After years of causing pain, he finally came to repentance.

Noun

1. remorse for your past conduct