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

But he had a starring role in the opening ceremony of the competition on Wednesday night, standing contrite before the assembled grinning beauty queens where he offered an apology.

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

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AMMAN, Jordan — The message was contrite but direct.

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

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

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Related Words

• apologetic 
• humble 
• remorseful 
• repentant 
• sorry