1. people who feel or express sincere regret and remorse for their wrongdoing
Usage: plural form of penitent
2. people who perform acts of penance as part of religious practice
Usage: religious context

Examples

• The penitents knelt in prayer, seeking forgiveness for their sins.
• During Lent, many penitents engage in fasting and charitable works.
• The priest counseled the penitents who came to confession.
• Medieval penitents often made pilgrimages to holy sites.
• The church welcomed all penitents who sought redemption.
• Some penitents wore sackcloth as a sign of their remorse.