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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contrite
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
In Tuesday’s contrite letter to investors, Jun promised Samsung would address these and other issues head-on.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
According to a report from Autosport, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali issued a contrite apology to the teams in the aftermath.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
Only one of the officers has been sentenced: a former community service officer named Samantha Peterson, who avoided jail time after reading a contrite statement in court.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrite 
Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024
In Tuesday’s contrite letter to investors, Jun promised Samsung would address these and other issues head-on.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
According to a report from Autosport, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali issued a contrite apology to the teams in the aftermath.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
Only one of the officers has been sentenced: a former community service officer named Samantha Peterson, who avoided jail time after reading a contrite statement in court.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
-
The victim's mother told the Daily Mail the teen does not appear to be remorseful.—
Christina Coulter,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
-
At the climax, amid a flood of family histrionics, our eyes sought out Hortense, sitting on the sidelines, stricken with remorseful silence.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Patrick Mahomes was ashamed of his spike attempt, too.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Jan. 2025
-
This tender moment is just more proof that even the toughest-looking guys in sports aren't ashamed of the sensitive side their kids bring out, and might actually be eager to show the world how much their families mean to them, on and off the field.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
There was that whole affair in season 1, which ended in murder — sorry, Adam (Peter Gadiot) — and there have been a number of secrets, and not just about book clubs.—
Samantha Highfill,
EW.com,
14 Feb. 2025
-
This is not the time for anyone to be feeling sorry for themselves.—
James Pearce,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The driver is apologetic but doesn’t budge, video shows.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Ricky must learn how to set his own schedule, something the constantly late and often apologetic man can’t seem to get a handle on.—
Matthew Creith,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Lyttleton discerned that if Saul was truly converted to Christ, the only explanation was the one Saul himself provided; namely, that the risen Christ appeared to him and called him to repentant faith.—
Dan Miller,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 2025
-
In his new statement, Suga took an even more repentant tone, apologizing for damaging his reputation and disappointing fans while opening himself to any further punishment.—
Justin Curto,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2024
Adjective
-
But with Cash on the vocals, the song and the man singing are nearly penitent.—
Stephanie Kaloi and James Mercadante,
EW.com,
21 Dec. 2024
-
Eighteen years later, playing the beloved daughter of Al Pacino’s Michael, she is shot dead on the steps of the opera house in Palermo, taking a bullet meant for the belatedly penitent godfather, who now comprehends without any doubt that there is no escaping the sins of his or his relatives’ past.—
Andrew Marzoni,
The New Republic,
3 Nov. 2023
Adjective
-
Reubens is candid and perhaps regretful about some of his controlling behavior on the show, and its eventual demise; ditto some of the choices made on Big Top Pee-Wee.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
-
Her scenes with Burstein are rich and funny and regretful; those with June (Jordan Tyson) and Louise (Joy Woods) are withering.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near contrite
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share