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It's useless and absurd to be only partly penitent (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inept

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'it's useless' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for inept that I've seen before include "Clumsy - silly" , "Silly or senseless" , "Awkward, showing no skill" , "rubbish" , "Foolish" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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