repent
Feel deep remorse
To repent is to feel deep regret for wrongdoing and resolve to change.
The word carries religious weight—sinners repent before God—but applies to any genuine remorse: He repented his harsh words.
Repentance implies not just feeling sorry but turning away from the behavior: She repented of her gambling and never placed another bet.
Moral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- regretSorrow over past actions
self-reproach · anguish · compunction · heartache · ruefulness · pangs · self-condemnation · lamentation
Redress for offense
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- propitiationAct of placating deity
sacrifice · recompense · reconciliation · indemnity · compensation · redress · apology · self-punishment
Entry or confession
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
priest · confessional · sacrament · absolution · sin · guilt · secrecy · unburdening
Deliverance from harm
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
- renewalMaking current again
transformation · conversion · rebirth · soul · faith · grace · piety · prayer
Formal clearing of guilt
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
clemency · exoneration · reconciliation · amnesty · acquittal · deliverance · release · cleansing
Improve by correcting faults
- amendmentChange to official text
- turningAct of rotating
- resolveFirmness of purpose
- vowSolemn personal commitment
commitment · transformation · correction · improvement · reversal · renunciation · forsaking · abandonment
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
regret · self-reproach · anguish · compunction · heartache · ruefulness · pangs · self-condemnation · lamentation · dejection
expiation
Redress for offense
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
propitiation · sacrifice · recompense · reconciliation · indemnity · compensation · redress · apology · self-punishment · mortification
admission
Entry or confession
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
apology · priest · confessional · sacrament · absolution · sin · guilt · secrecy · unburdening · revelation
salvation
Deliverance from harm
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
renewal · transformation · conversion · rebirth · soul · faith · grace · piety · prayer · devotion
absolution
Formal clearing of guilt
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
grace · clemency · exoneration · reconciliation · amnesty · acquittal · deliverance · release · cleansing · purification
reform
Improve by correcting faults
vow · commitment · transformation · correction · improvement · reversal · renunciation · forsaking · abandonment · new leaf
- Bible Wordsthou, thee, thy, thine, unto
- Christianesealtar call, backslider, blessed, born again, churched
- repentanceremorse, contrition, confession of sin, turning, change of heart
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
- Personal Changereform, turn over a new leaf, straighten up, improve, rehabilitate
- reconciliationreconciliation, reconcile, reconciled, reconciling, making up
repentrationalize
Explain with invented reasons
excuse · defend · double down · stand by
repentrelish
Keen pleasurable appreciation
gloat · savor · savour · delight in · enjoy
repentbackslide
Revert to bad habits
fall away · apostatize · go astray · rationalize · excuse
repentance, unrepentant, repenting, repented, repents, unrepenting, repenter, unrepented