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
Scotty was pretty contrite during the reunion, but Aria was clearly heartbroken.
—
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Guests might be more understanding of these lapses in service in amenities if room rates were reasonable and the hotels were more contrite.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Power delivery, suspension tuning, and handling are almost contrite in Strada (Street) mode and borderline lethargic in pure EV mode.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024
Everyone would be expecting a contrite performance from him, tepid jokes about male-female relationships, jokes about how horrible men were, and so on.
—Camille Bordas, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2024
Guests might be more understanding of these lapses in service in amenities if room rates were reasonable and the hotels were more contrite.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
Power delivery, suspension tuning, and handling are almost contrite in Strada (Street) mode and borderline lethargic in pure EV mode.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024
Everyone would be expecting a contrite performance from him, tepid jokes about male-female relationships, jokes about how horrible men were, and so on.
—Camille Bordas, Harper's Magazine, 2 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
-
During her sentencing, Javice appeared remorseful, according to several reports.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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While the lyrics seem remorseful, Cardi’s only regrets are for him.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Then sank a flotilla,Then fought a gorilla,And wasn’t ashamed one scintilla!—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
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The only one who should be ashamed is Robert De Niro.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Teens are also sick of storytelling tropes that include love triangles (sorry, Celine Song), toxic relationships framed as romantic, and relationships based mostly on physical attraction, per the survey.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
22 Oct. 2025
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So, if you're prompted to download and install an update by your car's infotainment screen, better to be safe than sorry.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When Joanne and Morgan finally confront Abby about the American Girl Doll incident, the latter is apologetic.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
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At the end of the movie, Springsteen reconnects with his now-apologetic father backstage at a concert.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.—
Katy Golvala,
Hartford Courant,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Over these last weeks, however, I have been nudged into a repentant apology by his profound take on our political crisis and a sincere and accurate Christian analysis of the problems and deliberate practical steps the individual Christian citizen can take during this holy season.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
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For his part, the boy is quiet and seems penitent, making the cell a calming refuge for Dean within an institution unofficially ruled by a cutthroat mini mob boss, Freddie (Ishay Lalosh).—
Judy Berman,
Time,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Clooney’s Jay is reflective and regretful about the choices he’s made throughout his career — which have left his adult children feeling abandoned and neglected — but the film seldom paints him as cruel or even all that foolish.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
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Wilson is one of the richest characters in Stamp’s oeuvre: regretful and resigned, hilarious and mournful, and deeply angry yet with flashes of tenderness.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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