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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
-
Singh Pannun said Singh was remorseful about the accident.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Brom understands the severity of his crimes, is remorseful and has apologized to everyone involved.—
Matthew Stolle,
Twin Cities,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This doesn’t seem like a company that is ashamed to be caught stealing.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Some were too ashamed to speak publicly.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The website clarifies that Kith Ivy will host an Erewhon Tonic Bar (sorry, not the full grocery store) for members.—
Oren Peleg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Your chance is now 25 out of 292 million, which is still, sorry to say, infinitesimal.—
Mark Fischetti,
Scientific American,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In a few short years, my plaintive, pleading tone would seem awkward and apologetic, compared to the confrontational calls on campuses for a free Palestine from the river to the sea, or Kneecap’s concert criticisms.—
Philip Metres
August 27,
Literary Hub,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Though staff were apologetic, Wolf went along with the request.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The stories were humorous and poignant, regretful and filled with silver linings.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Weapon art: Call regretful visages in a swirl of smoke.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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