repentantly

IPA/ɹɪpˈɛntəntli/
IPA/ɹᵻpˈɛntəntli/

repentantly — adverb

1. in a way that shows you feel sorry for something bad you did, describing the gen

1.副詞C1
釋義

in a way that shows you feel sorry for something bad you did, describing the genuine inner regret a person has while they speak or act

例句

Gabriela repentantly admitted that she had broken the vase while the family was out.

adverb before verb of confession

Sora looked at his friend repentantly after saying something hurtful during the argument.

adverb after verb of looking

同義詞
  • penitently

    more formal and often carries religious overtones

  • remorsefully

    emphasises the painful regret more than the change of heart

  • contritionally

    very formal; common in religious contexts

反義詞

文法句型

[verb] repentantly

用法筆記

Often appears before verbs of admitting, apologising, or confessing. Distinguish from sense 2, which focuses on the outward manner of the words or actions themselves rather than the speaker's internal feeling.

常見錯誤

❌He said sorry repentantly.
✅He repentantly apologised for his mistake.
💡'repentantly' already implies apology; use it with a more specific verb like 'admit', 'confess', or 'accept' rather than a general one like 'say'.

2. in a way that expresses regret or sorrow for past actions, especially through th

2.副詞C1
釋義

in a way that expresses regret or sorrow for past actions, especially through the tone, wording, or physical appearance of an action rather than through a direct statement

例句

Diya wrote a repentantly worded letter to the teacher whom she had disrespected.

repentantly + past participle: 'repentantly worded'

Karim gave his mother a repentantly humble smile after being caught sneaking out.

同義詞
  • apologetically

    less formal and more common; focuses on the act of expressing regret

  • contritely

    more formal; implies deep remorse

  • ruefully

    suggests regret mixed with a sense of humour or sadness

反義詞

文法句型

[verb] repentantly

[action] repentantly + [adjective/noun]

用法筆記

Frequently precedes an adjective or past participle (repentantly humble, repentantly worded). Unlike sense 1, the focus is on the outward quality of the action itself — a letter can be repentantly worded even if the writer's sincerity is uncertain.

常見錯誤

❌He repentantly said sorry.
✅His face wore a repentantly apologetic expression.
💡This sense is better suited to describing the tone or appearance of an action than the bare act of saying sorry.