Contrite

Feeling remorse or sorrow for wrongdoing; deeply sorry and eager to make amends.

adjective

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Imagine This

A rich old man, dying of cancer, was sorry that he did not contribute to the needy and the poor while he was young and healthy. Instead he wasted his entire fortune gambling and doing drugs. After all, he couldn’t take his possessions along with him when he died.

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Sounds Like

kun-TRYTE

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Looks Like

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Remember This

Contrite conveys genuine remorse and a desire to make things right; it describes a sincere, earnest apology rather than a dismissive or glib one.

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Other Forms

contritionnoun

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Connect With

remorse, penitence, repentance, apology, guilt

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Note

Contrite describes a sincere, heartfelt remorse often accompanied by a desire to atone; it is not the same as merely feeling sorry or apologizing for the consequences of one's actions without true remorse.

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Study Deeper

Examples

He issued a contrite apology after betraying his friend's trust.
The defendant's contrite tone suggested genuine remorse for his actions.

Synonyms

remorsefulapologeticpenitentrepentantrueful

Antonyms

unrepentantimpenitentunapologetic

Etymology

From Late Latin contritus ‘worn, ground down,’ from Latin conterere ‘to grind down, rub thoroughly’ (con- ‘thoroughly’ + terere ‘to rub’).

Mnemonic

Contrite = not trite. Remember that a contrite apology is sincere and not just a cliché.

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Vicarious

adjective

Experiencing or feeling something through another person’s actions or experiences rather than directly oneself; existing by means of someone else’s experiences or perspective.