pen·ance
ˈpe-nən(t)s 
1
: an act of self-abasement, mortification (see mortification sense 3), or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
He did charitable work as a penance.
2
: a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor (see confessor sense 3a)
3
: something (such as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)
who go on cheap camping trips instead of real vacations as a kind of penance—
Judith Thurman
Judith Thurman
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How Should You Use penance?
Penance as a form of apology for a mistake can be either voluntary or ordered by someone else. Many religions include penance among the ways in which believers can show repentance or regret for a misdeed. The Christian season of Lent, 40 days long, is traditionally a time for doing penance.
Examples of penance in a Sentence
Noun
He did charitable work as a penance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Mar. 2025
Ash Wednesday History and Ashes Meaning Ash Wednesday has been observed for centuries as a solemn day of penance and fasting.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Lent is a 40-day period of penance and fasting leading up to Easter.
—Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
That’s a minor inconvenience to deal with as penance for acquiring Doncic, who has made five All-NBA teams before turning 26.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025
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Noun
Eleven were condemned to the most extreme form of auto-da-fé—burning at the stake—and the rest to do penance.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 9 Mar. 2025
Ash Wednesday History and Ashes Meaning Ash Wednesday has been observed for centuries as a solemn day of penance and fasting.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
Lent is a 40-day period of penance and fasting leading up to Easter.
—Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2025
That’s a minor inconvenience to deal with as penance for acquiring Doncic, who has made five All-NBA teams before turning 26.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penance
Cite this Entry
“Penance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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