Repented

Repented is the past tense and past participle of the verb repent. In general use, to repent means to feel sincere regret for something one has done or failed to do, often accompanied by a commitment to change one’s behavior. The verb can describe remorse for past actions or a reconsideration of a course of action, as in “they repented their earlier decision.” The adjective repentant describes someone who experiences such remorse.

Etymology and forms: Repent comes from Old French repentir, from Latin paenitere, meaning to feel regret or to be sorry. In modern English, the standard construction is repent of something, as in repent of one’s sins. The past tense and past participle are repented. The noun form is repentance, which denotes the act or process of feeling remorse and changing one’s ways. An often-used related adjective is repenting or repentant, and the term unrepentant denotes one who does not feel remorse.

Religious and cultural context: In many religious traditions, repentance is a formal or moral turning away from wrongdoing and toward a renewed relationship with the transcendent or with ethical guidelines. In Christian contexts, repentance is closely linked to contrition, confession, and a decision to reform behavior. Similar concepts exist in Judaism (teshuva) and Islam (taubah), though the terms and practices differ across traditions. In secular usage, repentance can refer to a genuine reconsideration of one’s choices and a resolve to change, even outside religious frameworks.

Usage notes: Repented is commonly followed by of or, less frequently, by a clause describing the change in course. The opposite, unrepentant, describes someone who does not acknowledge or forgive past misdeeds.