First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
contrite
adjective con·trite \ˈkän-ˌtrīt, kən-ˈ\
: feeling or showing regret for bad behavior
Full Definition of CONTRITE
: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming <a contrite criminal> <a contrite apology> <contrite sighs>
— con·trite·ly adverb
— con·trite·ness noun
See contrite defined for English-language learners
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Examples of CONTRITE
- Allbaugh apologized, though it was clear he was hardly contrite. —Christopher Cooper &Robert Block, Disaster, 2006
- … Teddy was immediately contrite. “That was stupid of me. Forgive me.” —Jack Higgins, The President's Daughter, 1998
- At the airport, the meter registers nine pounds, and of course he had said six or seven. I have a sense now of his feeling somewhat contrite, or perhaps only abashed. —Renata Adler, Pitch Dark, 1983
- … for days afterward, afraid of himself and worried about his sanity, he would be contrite and terribly ashamed. —John Nichols, The Milagro Beanfield War, 1974
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Origin of CONTRITE
Middle English contrit, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin contritus, from Latin, past participle of conterere to grind, bruise, from com- + terere to rub — more at throw
Related to CONTRITE
- Synonyms
- apologetic, compunctious, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry
- Antonyms
- impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
CONTRITE Defined for Kids
contrite
adjective con·trite \ˈkän-ˌtrīt, kən-ˈtrīt\
Definition of CONTRITE for Kids
: feeling or showing sorrow for having done something bad or wrong : repentant <The prince lowered his head so as to appear humbled and contrite. — Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy>
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