What does impenitent mean?
Impenitent describes a person who refuses to repent, reform, or acknowledge wrongdoing. It is a formal and strongly disapproving word, often used in legal, religious, or moral contexts: an impenitent prisoner, for example, is someone who persists in refusing to express remorse. The term can also describe an unbending attitude, as in “an impenitent opposition to reform.” Its force comes from its association with repentance, the act of acknowledging an error and turning away from it. While “unrepentant” is a more neutral modern synonym, “impenitent” is often chosen when the speaker wants to emphasize stubborn moral resistance. The related noun “impenitence” names the refusal to repent, and “impenitently” describes conduct marked by such refusal.
Unwilling to repent, reform, or acknowledge wrongdoing; stubbornly unrepentant.
"The impenitent defendant continued to deny responsibility."
Formal and strongly condemnatory; especially common in legal, religious, and moral contexts.
A person who refuses to repent or reform.
"The novel presents the criminal as an unyielding impenitent."
Rare and literary; the adjectival use is much more common.
Impenitent comes from a Latin word meaning “unrepentant”: literally, a person who refuses to feel the pain of sin and turn back from wrongdoing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does impenitent come from?
Impenitent comes from the Latin adjective impaenitentem, meaning “unrepentant.” It was formed from the prefix in-, expressing negation, and paenitentem, “repenting,” from paenitere, “to feel pain or regret.” English borrowed the word in the 17th century, and related forms include penitent, penitence, repent, and repentance.
Related word forms
How impenitent is actually used
The adjective is formal and strongly condemnatory, especially when describing a wrongdoer who refuses to acknowledge guilt or change behavior. The noun use is uncommon and literary.
Easily confused with impenitent
Impenitent describes someone who is unwilling to repent, whereas imminent means about to happen or approaching.