contrite

[kuhn-trahyt, kon-trahyt]

adjective

1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.

2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent.

   a contrite sinner.

   Synonyms: repentant, remorseful, rueful

contrite

/ kənˈtraɪt, ˈkɒntraɪt /

adjective

1. full of guilt or regret; remorseful

2. arising from a sense of shame or guilt

   contrite promises

3. theol remorseful for past sin and resolved to avoid future sin

Other Word Forms

• contritely adverb
• contriteness noun
• overcontrite adjective
• overcontritely adverb
• overcontriteness noun
• uncontrite adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrite¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrite¹

C14: from Latin contrītus worn out, from conterere to bruise, from terere to grind

Example Sentences

In statements delivered in court on Tuesday, they appeared contrite and emotional when revisiting the murders.

From Los Angeles Times

AMMAN, Jordan — The message was contrite but direct.

From Los Angeles Times

In the second season, which is on right now, I'm a little more contrite.

From Salon

Former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was anything but contrite after being sentenced to 11 years in prison on federal corruption charges Wednesday.

From Salon

Within the week, the president has morphed from being contrite and apologetic, hoping to avoid impeachment, to brazenly defiant, vowing to fight on as the net closed in on him.

From BBC

Related Words

• apologetic 
• humble 
• remorseful 
• repentant 
• sorry