repents
Feels deep remorse
Repents is the third-person singular of repent—to feel remorse or regret for wrongdoing and resolve to change.
The word carries religious weight: The sinner repents and seeks forgiveness.
But it applies to secular regret too: She repents her hasty decision.
To repent suggests not just feeling bad but turning away from the offense.
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- regretSorrow over past actions
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- guiltMoral self-reproach
self-reproach · compunction · apology · lamentation · anguish · heartache · chagrin · woe
Formal clearing of guilt
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- expiationRedress for offense
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
reconciliation · forgiveness · propitiation · indulgence · sacrifice · restitution · compensation · making good
Address to deity
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- pietySincere religious devotion
grace · mercy · faith · forgiveness · sanctification · purification · devotion · holiness
Improve by correcting faults
- conversionAct of changing states
- changeTo make different
- renewalMaking current again
- turning pointDecisive moment of change
new leaf · reformation · rehabilitation · amendment · self-improvement · resolution · awakening · turnaround
contrition
Remorseful state over misdeeds
guilt · self-reproach · compunction · apology · lamentation · anguish · heartache · chagrin · woe · distress
absolution
Formal clearing of guilt
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- expiationRedress for offense
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
reparation · reconciliation · forgiveness · propitiation · indulgence · sacrifice · restitution · compensation · making good · repayment
prayer
Address to deity
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
piety · grace · mercy · faith · forgiveness · sanctification · purification · devotion · holiness · righteousness
reform
Improve by correcting faults
- conversionAct of changing states
- changeTo make different
- renewalMaking current again
turning point · new leaf · reformation · rehabilitation · amendment · self-improvement · resolution · awakening · turnaround · fresh start
repentsdefies
Openly resists or challenges
doubles down · boasts · justifies · rationalizes · brazens out
repentant, repentance, repent, unrepentant, repenting, repented, repenter