contrition
noun
Synonyms
- contriteness
- guilt
- penitence
- regret
- remorse
- remorsefulness
- repentance
- rue
- self-reproach
- shame
Example Sentences
Lizzie Johnson, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Giroud quotes observant comments from Latin America’s good and great to explain Padilla’s arrest and public contrition. John Hopewell, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 In the decade and a half since, Goodell has leaned heavily on a player’s contrition when determining what penalties to assess. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 The substance of the ultimate communication should reflect, in the vernacular, the personal contrition of the board of directors and of the chief executive officer. Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 And then in the series finale of the Breaking Bad prequel on Monday, Kim continued her journey of contrition, of betterment, and of healing, with Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takovic (Bob Odenkirk) surprising her on the path. Dan Snierson, EW.com, 16 Aug. 2022 Underhill dismissed Giordano’s pleas for sympathy and said the former mayor’s lack of contrition and the seriousness of his crimes justify the full sentence. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2022 Democrats on the federal and local levels have mastered the language of racial contrition, lamenting the conditions that nourish inequality, while doing the bare minimum to change them. Keeanga-yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 6 Aug. 2021 Timing, word choice and contrition are important elements for an apology to be effective, Dodds said. Peter Smith, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2022 See More Word History
see contrite
14th century, in the meaning defined above
contrition
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- remorse
- guilt
- regret
- penitence
- repentance
- remorsefulness
- shame
- contriteness
- self-reproach
- apology
- sadness
- sorrow
- grief
- rue
- compunction
- anguish
- culpability
- blame
- embarrassment
- scruple
- qualm
- responsibility
- prick
- misgiving
- chagrin
- ruth
- distress
- excuses
- mea culpa
- fault
- bloodguilt
- rap
- hand-wringing
- liability
- bloodguiltiness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impenitence
- remorselessness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of contrition are compunction, penitence, remorse, and repentance. While all these words mean "regret for sin or wrongdoing," contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.
The synonyms compunction and contrition are sometimes interchangeable, but compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.
The meanings of penitence and contrition largely overlap; however, penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.
The words remorse and contrition can be used in similar contexts, but remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.
In some situations, the words repentance and contrition are roughly equivalent. However, repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.