penance
3 synonyms for penance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A voluntary act of self-punishment or atonement carried out to make up for wrongdoing.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use penance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
do penance
penance for one's sins
Etymology
From Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia ("repentance"); a close relative of the word "penitence."
Full origin of penance →Frequently asked questions
What does “penance” mean?
The word “penance” means a voluntary act of self-punishment or atonement carried out to make up for wrongdoing. In plain terms, an act taken to make up for having done wrong, often used in a religious sense.
How do you pronounce “penance”?
“Penance” is pronounced PEHN-uhns (/ˈpɛn.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “penance” in a sentence?
Here is “penance” used in a sentence: “He did penance for years, quietly trying to make amends.”
What is another word for “penance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “penance” include penitence and atonement.
What part of speech is “penance”?
“Penance” is a noun.
Where does the word “penance” come from?
The word “penance” comes from Latin. From Old French peneance, from Latin paenitentia ("repentance"); a close relative of the word "penitence.".
Is “penance” a common word?
“Penance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “penance” have?
“Penance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a voluntary act of self-punishment or atonement carried out to make up for wrongdoing.
