IMPENITENT Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

impenitent

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpe-nə-tənt

Definition of impenitent

as in ruthless

not sorry for having done wrong an impenitent criminal who said he'd do it all over again, given the chance

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impenitent For her part, having faced such criticism for over four decades, Newkirk remains blissfully impenitent. — Jan Dutkiewicz, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024 Among the various allegations put forward are reports of drugging and fascist group chats, slave labour and foot photograph farms, with the brand’s impenitent founder Stephan Marsan at its centre. — Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024 But they were also imbued with a sense of impenitent joy that was paramount to the show. — Tara Gonzalez, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 June 2023

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impenitent

Adjective

Today, it is widely known that coal miners of the 19th and early 20th centuries experienced ruthless exploitation and hazardous working conditions.

— Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Involuntary bumping is more ruthless, denying boarding to passengers in a joyless game of musical plane seats.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruthless

Adjective

Participants fell into their roles a little too well and, after a prisoner rebellion, increasingly cruel forms of punishment from the guards and a number of students suffering mental breakdowns, the experiment was ended on the sixth day.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
But these townswomen — whether the undersexed Bakerwoman (Ella Bruccoleri ) or the prim, cruel busybody the Tailor’s Wife (a deliciously scheming Elizabeth Debicki) — are deeply unhappy with their own lot in life.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

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impenitence

impenitent

imperative

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“Impenitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenitent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impenitent

adjective

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