Contrite

//kənˈtɹaɪt// adj, noun

adj, noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A contrite person; a penitent.

    "Secondly, that even where contrition or inward repentance doth cleanſe without abſolution ; the reaſon why it cometh ſo to paſs, is, becauſe ſuch contrites intend and deſire Abſolution, though they have it not."

Adjective
  1. 1
    Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions.

    "The Lord will happineſs divine / On contrite hearts beſtow : / Then tell me, gracious God, is mine / A contrite heart, or no ?"

  2. 2
    Thoroughly bruised or broken. obsolete
Adjective
  1. 1
    feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
sorryabjectapologeticapologeticashamedguilt-ridden

Example

More examples

"She fidgeted, looking noticeably contrite."

Etymology

From Middle English contrit, from Old French contrit, from Latin contrītus (literally “ground to pieces”), perfect passive participle of conterō (“grind, bruise”), from con- + terō (“rub, wear away”).

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.