Repentant

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ɹəˈpɛtənt/

Definitions

1. Feeling genuine regret and sorrow for wrongdoing, with a sincere desire to change one's behavior or make amends
2. Experiencing deep remorse and sorrow for past actions, showing a heartfelt intention to alter future conduct or seek forgiveness
3. Harboring sincere regret and contrition for misdeeds while demonstrating a commitment to improve behavior or repair relationships

Etymology: Repentant comes from Old French, where "repentant" was the present participle of "repentir", meaning "to repent" or "to regret". That verb is itself a product of Latin, built from "re-", suggesting return or intensity, and "paenitere", meaning "to be sorry". The Latin root reaches back to a sense of regret, which English retained from the start, so the word has never drifted far from its original meaning. English took the word in Middle English, borrowing the Old French form directly and keeping its participle shape. The "-ant" ending is the same one found in many other adjectives borrowed from French, such as "pleasant" and "defiant", which likewise carry a sense of an ongoing state.

Synonyms: remorseful, contrite

Antonyms: unrepentant, unremorseful