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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Recent Examples of contrite
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
In Tuesday’s contrite letter to investors, Jun promised Samsung would address these and other issues head-on.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
According to a report from Autosport, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali issued a contrite apology to the teams in the aftermath.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
In Tuesday’s contrite letter to investors, Jun promised Samsung would address these and other issues head-on.
—Greg McKenna, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
According to a report from Autosport, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali issued a contrite apology to the teams in the aftermath.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
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But for once, or maybe twice, Hill seemed genuinely remorseful and reflective this week.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
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Rose gambled on the game, lied about it for years and never seemed truly remorseful.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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City leaders should be ashamed for letting this issue get so out of hand.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
-
Her advice to others facing this journey is to speak openly, accept support, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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Even savvy healthcare consumers – aka patients – will have a hard time reining in healthcare spending in the face of physicians preaching an ethic of better safe than sorry.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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There will be no combustion engine on board—sorry, V-8 fans—with all the power required to run the control and motion systems for the foils, the keel and rudder, and the onboard computers and instruments generated autonomously while under sail.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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When the second gun was found, the passenger was apologetic, TSA workers said.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2025
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Being apologetic for the incident, Heim told NBC Sports: Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite/Foster Love Toyota, enters his truck for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Moore gives one of her quietest performances as repentant cowboy Kiefer’s former lover, Mary Alice.—
Eddie Mouradian,
Vulture,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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But in the intervening months, Mr. Santos has struggled to maintain that penitent posture.—
Grace Ashford,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Even really successful cast members are a little regretful or self-deprecating about it, or feel anxious even talking about it.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
18 June 2025
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As a holistic therapist, she’s unfortunately seen this issue come up time and time again: individuals who overshare too soon, confuse emotional exposure with connection, and later feel raw, misunderstood, or regretful.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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