Penitence is the act of acknowledging one's wrongdoing and expressing remorse for it. When a person shows penitence, they may use various words and phrases to convey their feelings of regret and contrition. Synonyms for the phrase "showed penitence" include "apologized," "expressed remorse," "confessed," "atoned," "repented," "admitted fault," "showed contrition," "made amends," and "asked for forgiveness." Each of these words and phrases expresses different nuances of penitence, highlighting different aspects of the act of acknowledging wrongdoing. By selecting the appropriate synonym, a person can communicate their feelings of remorse more effectively and approach the process of making things right in a more authentic and meaningful way.