repentant
Sorry for wrongdoing
Repentant describes someone who feels genuine remorse for wrongdoing and wishes they had acted differently.
A repentant thief or repentant sinner acknowledges their mistakes and seeks forgiveness or redemption.
The word carries a stronger moral weight than simply being sorry—it implies a change of heart and often a desire to make amends.
He was repentant after realizing how much his words had hurt her.
Feeling guilt over misdeeds
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- sorrowfulFilled with grief
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
apologetic · rueful · shamefaced · conscience-stricken · chagrined · mortified · abashed · humbled
Admission of wrongdoing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
culpability · mea culpa · fault · wrongdoing · transgression · sinfulness · blameworthy · self-condemnation
Formal clearing of guilt
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
forgiven · exoneration · redemption · deliverance · salvation · reconciliation · acquittal · release
Compensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- expiationRedress for offense
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
compensation · rectify · recompense · making good · redress · propitiation · sacrifice · retribution
Improve by correcting faults
- renewalMaking current again
- conversionAct of changing states
- changedMade or became different
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
born again · amendment · resolve · reformation · rehabilitation · restoration · recommitment · awakening
contrite
Feeling guilt over misdeeds
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- regretfulFeeling sorrow over actions
- sorrowfulFilled with grief
ashamed · apologetic · rueful · shamefaced · conscience-stricken · chagrined · mortified · abashed · humbled · chastened
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
compunction · culpability · mea culpa · fault · wrongdoing · transgression · sinfulness · blameworthy · self-condemnation · pangs
absolution
Formal clearing of guilt
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
clemency · forgiven · exoneration · redemption · deliverance · salvation · reconciliation · acquittal · release · reprieve
reparation
Compensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- expiationRedress for offense
reconciliation · compensation · rectify · recompense · making good · redress · propitiation · sacrifice · retribution · amendment
reform
Improve by correcting faults
- renewalMaking current again
- conversionAct of changing states
- changedMade or became different
turning point · born again · amendment · resolve · reformation · rehabilitation · restoration · recommitment · awakening · rebirth
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- virtuousvirtuous, righteous, moral, upright, pure
- at faultguilty, at fault, to blame, culpable, blameworthy
- religious stancesdevout, pious, faithful, atheist, agnostic
repentantunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
impenitent · remorseless · unremorseful · nonrepentant · uncontrite
repentantunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
impenitent · remorseless · unremorseful · unapologetic · unashamed