penitential

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of penitential The church released a statement on its website Thursday saying that, due to the desecration of the altar, Abbot Elijah Owens and the monastic community will undertake the penitential rite, reparation for the desecration and offer a Mass of Reparation. Monica Brich, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2023 Throughout Lent—the penitential season prior to Easter, which for the Orthodox is this Sunday—Ukrainian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops, metropolitans, clergy, and scholars have been consumed with the issues of the war. Paul Elie, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2022 Established and state-regulated by the late fourth century, Christian sanctuary was based in episcopal intercession and penitential discipline; it was intended to spare the body the worst consequences of crime and thereby to save the soul from the everlasting implications of sin. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, The New York Review of Books, 3 Nov. 2020 Purchase of pardons had traditionally allowed people to bypass the penitential rituals the Church required for remission of sins. Maureen Quilligan, WSJ, 1 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for penitential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penitential
Adjective
  • Your penitent correspondent humbly submits that the whole ritual has jumped the shark in Northeast Ohio.
    Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Mar. 2025
  • With an appropriately penitent look, Grant took a deep breath.
    Scott Huver, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The meeting barely lasts five minutes; HR is apologetic, your manager thanks you for your time, and just like that, the rug has been pulled from under your feet and your paycheck is gone.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Witkoff noted that Zelenskyy has been apologetic in recent days about the White House blowup and expressed gratitude.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.
    Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Lyttleton discerned that if Saul was truly converted to Christ, the only explanation was the one Saul himself provided; namely, that the risen Christ appeared to him and called him to repentant faith.
    Dan Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • How did so many Germans become contrite about the Nazi past?
    Gary J. Bass, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.
    Anthony Paletta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Whetstone said the power was with the poster and encouraged her mother to be remorseful, express mortification with her actions and work to make amends.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The victim's mother told the Daily Mail the teen does not appear to be remorseful.
    Christina Coulter, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Penitential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penitential. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

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