contrition

[kuhn-trish-uhn]

noun

1. sincere penitence or remorse.

   Synonyms: regret, compunction

2. Theology.,  sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment, arising from a love of God for His own perfections perfect contrition, or from some inferior motive, as fear of divine punishment imperfect contrition.

contrition

/ kənˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. deeply felt remorse; penitence

2. Christianity detestation of past sins and a resolve to make amends, either from love of God ( perfect contrition ) or from hope of heaven ( imperfect contrition )

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrition¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English contricio(u)n, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin contrītiōn-, stem of contrītiō “grief,” literally, “a wearing down”; equivalent to contrite + -ion

Example Sentences

"By the next election there will be voters who haven't experienced a Conservative government in their adult life so that need for contrition is probably less," says Lynam.

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She said she could not forgive Norris because he has not "expressed any acceptance, any contrition and certainly has no humanity".

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He expressed deep contrition over the video in which he bit the dog's corpse, stating he had not been responsible for its death.

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He said while the ABC has displayed some contrition - including through the public apology - their failure to investigate who leaked Lattouf's sacking to the media detracts from that.

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What might once have been a footnote in a quarterly earnings report has become a recognizable genre: the corporate reversal, performed in public, equal parts contrition and spectacle.

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Related Words

• humiliation 
• penance 
• penitence 
• remorse 
• repentance 
• sorrow