Repentful

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Feeling deep sorrow and regret for wrongdoings or mistakes committed
2. Experiencing remorseful awareness and wishing to make amends for past actions
3. Showing sincere regret and repentance for errors or faults one has caused

Etymology: "Repentful" is a transparent formation: "repent" plus the suffix "-ful." That suffix began as the Old English word "full," so the word literally means "full of repenting," describing someone whose heart is weighed down with regret for what they have done. The verb at its root has a Latin past. "Repent" came into English through Old French "repentir," from the Latin "paenitere," meaning to cause regret or be sorry. The prefix "re-" adds a sense of looking back on one's own conduct. The more common synonym "repentant" comes from the same source, but through a participle ending, while "repentful" keeps the English suffix.

Synonyms: remorseful, contrite, regretful, sorry

Antonyms: unrepentant, unremorseful, unapologetic