Synonym Chooser

How is the word contrition distinct from other similar nouns?

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.

tearful expressions of contrition

When might compunction be a better fit than contrition?

The synonyms compunction and contrition are sometimes interchangeable, but compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

When would penitence be a good substitute for contrition?

The meanings of penitence and contrition largely overlap; however, penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

When is remorse a more appropriate choice than contrition?

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.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

When is it sensible to use repentance instead of contrition?

In some situations, the words repentance and contrition are roughly equivalent. However, repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

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 contrition Sydney, Australia Reuters — A court ordered Australia’s largest airline, Qantas Airways, on Monday to pay a record fine of A$90 million ($58.64 million) for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and criticized it for a lack of contrition. CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025 Finding contrition less than forthcoming, the husband hauled off and punched Chase, causing chaos in the school halls, according to a story in the Philadelphia Times. Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025 The surprise was also though that the notion of contrition is tied up with the notion of forgiveness and what that might mean. A Dialogue, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025 The police officer’s presence simply hastened their contrition. Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for contrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrition
Noun
  • Before Hellerstein imposed the sentence, Javice stood to express remorse and to apologize.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Elsewhere in the doc, Walt Weiss, a former detective for the Murphy Police Department who participated in the Conradt sting, shares his remorse over the situation.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • What lingers as the end credits roll is Daniel Day-Lewis’ noble face — full of sorrow, resentment, guilt and shame, emotions that Ray spends much of the early action masking in hardened indifference.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The judge commented that the decision was not a ruling on his innocence or guilt, but the technical error in bringing the case.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Across his many years in the entertainment industry, Glen Powell doesn't have many regrets — save for one decades-old reality TV appearance.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • In between clips of the film subject’s standup sets, Dustin, who’s rarely seen without a drink or a cigarette, talks about his and his father’s bipolar depression, his struggle with alcohol and regrets he’s harbored throughout his life.
    Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrition. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contrition

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