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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrite
When one woman sees her bad behavior caught on camera, she’s initially contrite.
—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
That's why Gausman was contrite despite a mostly fantastic effort.
—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
The dispatches from one of India’s most troubled generic drug makers were contrite, filled with far-reaching promises to clean up its factory, stop contamination and send safe medication to Americans counting on the company’s drugs.
—
Megan Rose,
ProPublica,
12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
This and that ▪ Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II was contrite about lashing out at running backs coach Eric Studesville in a heated exchange after Gordon was called for a tripping penalty against Baltimore.
—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
That's why Gausman was contrite despite a mostly fantastic effort.
—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
The dispatches from one of India’s most troubled generic drug makers were contrite, filled with far-reaching promises to clean up its factory, stop contamination and send safe medication to Americans counting on the company’s drugs.
—
Megan Rose,
ProPublica,
12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
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Mazzei asked whether Heuermann was truly remorseful.
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Peters doesn’t appear especially remorseful.
Adjective
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Both candidates should be ashamed of themselves for intentionally ignoring a group of American citizens and voters.
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Crowdpleasers are nothing to be ashamed of.
Adjective
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For this particular one, there was the cat stuff, but also there was the Monica dating stuff, which is very much based on my horrific experiences, sorry to say.
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These things are around for so much longer than any of us — sorry to bring death into it.
Adjective
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Be apologetic for the inconvenience.
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Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.
Adjective
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In his speech to the Spanish parliament Monday, Leo framed the right of the church to keep priest-penitent conversations confidential as a matter of freedom of religion.
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It is flanked on all sides by footlong rulers (emblazoned, like the yardsticks, with an assortment of penitent phrases including YES, SISTER and NO, SISTER) marking the hours.
Adjective
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But with Hoskins facing the Phillies once again, now as a member of the Cleveland Guardians, Harper sent a regretful response on that decision.
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That’s interesting because there’s not been a case being made for going back in, just a lot of regretful noises.
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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