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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrite
When one woman sees her bad behavior caught on camera, she’s initially contrite.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
That's why Gausman was contrite despite a mostly fantastic effort.
—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
The dispatches from one of India’s most troubled generic drug makers were contrite, filled with far-reaching promises to clean up its factory, stop contamination and send safe medication to Americans counting on the company’s drugs.
—
Megan Rose,
ProPublica,
12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
That's why Gausman was contrite despite a mostly fantastic effort.
—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
The dispatches from one of India’s most troubled generic drug makers were contrite, filled with far-reaching promises to clean up its factory, stop contamination and send safe medication to Americans counting on the company’s drugs.
—
Megan Rose,
ProPublica,
12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
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Outside the courtroom, attorney Eric Clayman told reporters that Watson is remorseful and didn’t want to hurt Ibrahim.
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Lil Wayne is feeling remorseful after leaving fans in Maine high and dry.
Adjective
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She would be horrified, hurt—ashamed, even, of Zeenat’s behavior.
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Legendary Iran striker Ali Daei, widely recognised as one of Asia’s greatest ever soccer players, was once a client but Beiranvand felt too ashamed to introduce himself.
Adjective
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Much has been made of this World Cup’s mandatory commercial—sorry, hydration—breaks, which have paused action, even during indoor or rain-soaked matches.
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Back home that night, dues paid to god, the women slathered their faces with turmeric cream and went to bed, bitter-smelling, sorry for themselves on that night as every night.
Adjective
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Be apologetic for the inconvenience.
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Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.
Adjective
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In his speech to the Spanish parliament Monday, Leo framed the right of the church to keep priest-penitent conversations confidential as a matter of freedom of religion.
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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.
Adjective
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Regina genuinely likes Louis, is regretful about getting loud with him, and after learning about Claudia feels sorry for him.
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That’s interesting because there’s not been a case being made for going back in, just a lot of regretful noises.
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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