contrite
Americanadjective
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caused by or showing sincere remorse.
-
filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent.
a contrite sinner.
- Synonyms:
- repentant, remorseful, rueful
adjective
-
full of guilt or regret; remorseful
-
arising from a sense of shame or guilt
contrite promises
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theol remorseful for past sin and resolved to avoid future sin
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of contrite
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English contrit, from Anglo-French, from Latin contrītus “worn down, crushed,” past participle of conterere “to wear down, crush, crumble”; equivalent to con- + trite
Explanation
We are sorry to inform you that the adjective contrite means regretful, remorseful, or even guilty. Someone who feels remorse or guilt is contrite and in addition to feeling sorry, part of the definition includes wanting to atone for having done something wrong. The word comes from the Latin roots com- meaning "together" and terere which means "to rub." It's also related to the Latin word conterere and is defined as "to bruise." In the field of theology being contrite is "being remorseful for past sin and resolved to avoid future sin."
Vocabulary lists containing contrite
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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The Kite Runner
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100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Contrite but eager to show he could still be biting, Mr. Imus staged his return as a $100-per-ticket benefit for his camp for children.
From Washington Post • Dec. 27, 2019
Contrite but eager to show he could still be biting, Imus staged his return as a $100-per-ticket benefit for his camp for children.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2019
Contrite Navy officials conceded that they had accepted increasing risks with uncertified ships and crews, despite repeated warnings from congressional watchdogs and the Navy’s own experts.
From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2017
Contrite wireless carriers and outraged public officials agree this is a travesty, and now the industry insists an ugly chapter in the history of American telecommunications is over.
From BusinessWeek • Jul. 30, 2014
Contrite, I went to bed, hoping that I would never see another kitten.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
