Definition of contrite
: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming a contrite criminal a contrite apology contrite sighs
contritely
adverbcontriteness
nounExplore M-W
contrite was our Word of the Day on 11/01/2010. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of contrite in a Sentence
Allbaugh apologized, though it was clear he was hardly contrite. —Christopher Cooper &Robert Block, Disaster, 2006
… Teddy was immediately contrite. “That was stupid of me. Forgive me.” —Jack Higgins, The President's Daughter, 1998
At the airport, the meter registers nine pounds, and of course he had said six or seven. I have a sense now of his feeling somewhat contrite, or perhaps only abashed. —Renata Adler, Pitch Dark, 1983
… for days afterward, afraid of himself and worried about his sanity, he would be contrite and terribly ashamed. —John Nichols, The Milagro Beanfield War, 1974
being contrite is not enough to spare you an arrest if you're caught shoplifting
Recent Examples of contrite from the Web
-
Ridpath suggested Pitino might benefit from being more contrite in the final steps in the infractions process.
-
The statement that Woods released Monday, while contrite, came up a few assertions short of accountability.
-
Franken stepped into her line of sight to offer a contrite, confessional gesture.
-
And Pillar, rather than appeal, owned up in a contrite statement.
-
In a subsequent internal message sent to United employees Monday evening, a copy of which the airline provided Bloomberg News, Munoz was less contrite.
-
Administration officials were even less contrite when speaking anonymously.
-
And, no surprise, CNN unavoidably offered analysis and de-facto self-congratulation to itself during a morning discussion about Conway’s vaguely (vaguely) contrite performance with Brian Stelter and Bill Carter.
-
On Monday, Tomic did not seem particularly contrite about his role in the disappearance of five artistic masterpieces.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contrite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
A person who is contrite may have rubbed someone the wrong way and caused bruised feelings - and there is a hint about the origins of the word in that thought. Contrite came to English by way of Anglo-French from the Latin verb conterere, meaning "to grind" or "to bruise." Conterere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix com- and terere, meaning "to rub." If you've guessed that trite is a cousin of contrite (through terere), you are correct. Other terere descendants in English include detriment and tribulation, and very possibly the familiar verb try.
Origin and Etymology of contrite
Middle English contrit, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin contritus, from Latin, past participle of conterere to grind, bruise, from com- + terere to rub — more at 1throw
Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms
Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra
CONTRITE Defined for English Language Learners
contrite
playDefinition of contrite for English Language Learners
-
: feeling or showing regret for bad behavior
CONTRITE Defined for Kids
Learn More about contrite
-
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contrite Spanish Central: Translation of contrite Nglish: Translation of contrite for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up contrite? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!