repent
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /rɪˈpɛnt/
KK: /rɪˈpɛnt/
adjective
Definition
To feel sorry for something you have done and wish you had not done it.
Example
After realizing his mistake, he began to repent for his actions.
Conversation
Did you see that plant in the garden?
Yeah, it's so repent and beautiful!
I love how it creeps along the ground.
Me too! It really adds character to the space.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
prostrate
recumbent
supine
Antonyms
upright
erect
vertical
intransitive verb
Definition
To feel sorry for something you have done and wish you had not done it.
Example
After realizing his mistake, he began to repent for his actions.
Tense Forms
Past: repented
Past Participle: repented
Conversation
I heard you had a rough day yesterday.
Yeah, I did something I really regret, and I've been trying to repent for it.
It's tough to move on when you feel that way.
transitive verb
Definition
To feel sorry for something you have done and wish you had not done it.
Example
After realizing his mistake, he began to repent for his actions.
Tense Forms
Past: repented
Past Participle: repented
Conversation
Do you ever repent the choices you made when we were in high school?
Sometimes, I think about how we could have done things differently.
Yeah, I just wish we could go back and repent for our mistakes.
Root Explanation
Repent is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "paenitere" (meaning to feel pain or regret). The word describes the act of feeling regret or sorrow for something done, as if one wishes to feel differently about it again.
Memory Tip
Think of feeling 'again' ('re-') the 'pain' ('paenitere') of a past action — that's why to repent means to feel regret for something you've done.
Visually Confused Words
unrepent
strepent
repatent
revent
retent
resent
rerent
reopen