Entry Word: contrite

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done <being contrite is not enough to spare you an arrest if youʼre caught shoplifting>

Synonyms apologetic, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry

Related Words sad, grieving, mournful, sorrowful, woeful

Near Antonyms merciless, pitiless, ruthless

Antonyms impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant

2 suffering from or expressive of a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing <her contrite expression made them take her apology more seriously> — see guilty 2