repent

To repent is more than just to regret something; it means feeling deep sorrow for wrongdoing and making a sincere choice to change. The word has long been important in religious writing, especially in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, where it often means turning away from sin and seeking forgiveness or reconciliation. It is about admitting the harm done, feeling genuine remorse, and trying to live differently.

However, the idea goes beyond religion. You can repent of a bad habit, like constantly interrupting others, by recognizing its negative effect, apologizing for past behavior, and working to listen better. It is not enough to simply feel sorry; to repent usually implies some kind of change in action. A character in a novel might repent of their greed after seeing the suffering it causes, then spend their life helping others.

The word comes from Old French repentir, linked to the idea of feeling pain or sorrow. That history fits the emotional weight of the word: to repent is often painful, but it also suggests the possibility of change. You may see related forms in phrases like "call for repentance" or "show no signs of repentance." In simple terms, regret is feeling bad about what happened, while to repent is to feel that sorrow and turn away from the wrong with real intent.