contrition

noun

con·​tri·​tion kən-ˈtri-shən 

: the state of being contrite : repentance

She shed tears of contrition for her sins.

Synonyms

• contriteness
• guilt
• penitence
• regret
• remorse
• remorsefulness
• repentance
• rue
• self-reproach
• shame

Choose the Right Synonym for contrition

penitence, repentance, contrition, compunction, remorse mean regret for sin or wrongdoing.

penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.

tearful expressions of contrition

compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

Examples of contrition in a Sentence

Were her tears a true sign of contrition?

we were moved to forgive by his tearful expressions of contrition

Recent Examples on the Web

Val Nichushkin’s contrition — A The mercurial forward and key to the Avs’ playoff fates returned to the fold on Friday after a six-month suspension. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

Their contrition, however, was far from the end of the matter. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 Sep. 2024

Fans hoping for accountability or contrition are likely to be disappointed. —Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Sep. 2024

Cameron Lewellen, a Black father of three from Georgia who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020, told NPR that he was offended by Trump’s statements about Harris’s ethnicity and was concerned that the former President had offered no contrition about January 6th. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contricioun "disruption, rift or breach, sorrow for sins committed," borrowed from Anglo-French cuntriciun, contricion, borrowed from Latin contrītiōn-, contrītiō "dismay, grief, despondency" (Medieval Latin also "crushing sense of sin"), from contrī-, variant stem of conterere "to crush, wear out or down, exhaust mentally or physically" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contrite

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

contrition

noun

con·​tri·​tion kən-ˈtrish-ən 

: the state of being contrite