as in remorseful
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
being contrite is not enough to spare you a detention if you're caught skipping class
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Recent Examples of contrite
Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.
—
Anthony Paletta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025
Scotty was pretty contrite during the reunion, but Aria was clearly heartbroken.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Guests might be more understanding of these lapses in service in amenities if room rates were reasonable and the hotels were more contrite.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Power delivery, suspension tuning, and handling are almost contrite in Strada (Street) mode and borderline lethargic in pure EV mode.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Anthony Paletta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025
Scotty was pretty contrite during the reunion, but Aria was clearly heartbroken.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Guests might be more understanding of these lapses in service in amenities if room rates were reasonable and the hotels were more contrite.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Power delivery, suspension tuning, and handling are almost contrite in Strada (Street) mode and borderline lethargic in pure EV mode.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
-
This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
-
During his years behind bars, the 81 year old became reflective and remorseful, though no less colorful.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Additionally, Williams feels proud of how her transparency has helped others not feel ashamed of doing what’s best for their health, especially considering there's been a lot of controversy surrounding the use of GLP-1 medications.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
-
As explained above, that’s nothing to be ashamed about with how well the Clippers are playing.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Liverpool’s sorry state Liverpool were sitting pretty for a short time at Anfield, driven in front by another epic strike from Szoboszlai (above).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Sascha Smith recalled one of the last things Marantos said before going into emergency surgery Friday was sorry to his daughter Naomi, 6, for missing her birthday Sunday.—
Brittany Levine Beckman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Creative work becomes pre-apologetic.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
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In the footage, Rivera is initially apologetic to the trooper who pulls him over, saying sorry for going through a red light.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.—
Beatrice Peterson,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
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Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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It is flanked on all sides by footlong rulers (emblazoned, like the yardsticks, with an assortment of penitent phrases including YES, SISTER and NO, SISTER) marking the hours.—
Alex Jovanovich,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
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When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
So was recalling important, impactful, or regretful experiences from his childhood.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
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Simon is angry, regretful, and disappointed at his lack of control.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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