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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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
Just look at the impenitent subject: the deep furrow between his eyebrows and the one that contours his cheek seem to want to connect and form a kind of scar in shadow.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
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
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
Just look at the impenitent subject: the deep furrow between his eyebrows and the one that contours his cheek seem to want to connect and form a kind of scar in shadow.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2023
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
-
Sure, he’s driven by vengeance and ruthless in his pursuit, but — without spoiling anything — his motivation is clouded at best, misplaced at worst.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Michael’s brother Sonny (James Caan) becomes the de facto crime boss as the Corleones prosecute a turf war against their rivals, and Michael eventually emerges as the new, and much more ruthless boss, much to the horror of his wife, Kay (Diane Keaton).—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And then there's Alden Ehrenreich, who plays the part of our infuriating, unrepentant a-hole.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
-
All came adorned and unrepentant in their right to adornment.—
Zoë Hopkins,
New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Every day in New York City, thousands of home attendants are being forced to work cruel 24-hour shifts while being paid for only 13 of those hours.—
Christopher Marte,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impenitent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impenitent. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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