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
Van Buren returns shortly with a newly contrite attitude, having come around to his library’s merits and read up on Toth’s prior designs in Hungary.
—
Anthony Paletta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Anthony Paletta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
-
During his years behind bars, the 81 year old became reflective and remorseful, though no less colorful.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Is DeAngelo remorseful for his crimes?—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Jennette McCurdy isn’t ashamed to admit that comfort is a huge part of her life right now.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Emotions involved in career loss and grief are signals that provide information, not failures to suppress or be ashamed of.—
Kathy Caprino,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the footage, Rivera is initially apologetic to the trooper who pulls him over, saying sorry for going through a red light.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Bloom’s Keiwon Gulley is too irrepressible and in the moment to ever feel sorry for himself.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the footage, Rivera is initially apologetic to the trooper who pulls him over, saying sorry for going through a red light.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Days later, Levine wrote that the merchandise had been returned with an apologetic note written in red pen.—
Brian Niemietz,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.—
Beatrice Peterson,
ABC News,
22 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
-
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.—
Alex Jovanovich,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
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When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The two end up drinking together, and the next morning, Rebecca wakes up in his bed, regretful of the one-night stand.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
21 Dec. 2025
-
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.—
Kambole Campbell,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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