contrite
[ kuhn-trahyt, kon-trahyt ]
/ kənˈtraɪt, ˈkɒn traɪt /
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adjective
caused by or showing sincere remorse.
filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner.
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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Origin of contrite
OTHER WORDS FROM contrite
Words nearby contrite
contribution, contributor, contributory, contributory negligence, con trick, contrite, contrition, contrivance, contrive, contrived, control
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for contrite
British Dictionary definitions for contrite
contrite
/ (kənˈtraɪt, ˈkɒntraɪt) /
adjective
full of guilt or regret; remorseful
arising from a sense of shame or guiltcontrite promises
theol remorseful for past sin and resolved to avoid future sin
Derived forms of contrite
contritely, adverbcontriteness, nounWord Origin for contrite
C14: from Latin contrītus worn out, from conterere to bruise, from terere to grind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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