CONTRITENESS Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

contriteness

noun

as in remorse

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing his determination to make things right again was seen as a sign of his sincere contriteness

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Recent Examples of contriteness Recently, however, pride has partly given way to contriteness as President Emmanuel Macron, aware of France’s legacy as a former heavy-handed empire, has attempted to make amends for mistakes during the country’s imperial past. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contriteness

Noun

Prosecutors urged a lengthy sentence based on Skroko’s criminal history and lack of remorse.

— Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
At the hearing, prosecutors argued for life in prison, citing the brothers’ decadeslong assaults of dozens of women (over 70 have come forward) and lack of remorse.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of remorse

Noun

Through imposing guilt by association and collective punishments, the North Korean state has spent decades attenuating the relationships through which private anger might be converted into collective action.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
But the main focus is Sanaa’s relationship with her late father and her guilt over how she may be connected to his crimes.

— Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of guilt

Noun

The forcefulness of their singing conveys desperation, but preempts so much of the nuance that enlivens their songs—the fundamental regret in their voice grinding against the fundamental determination.

— Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
As love, lust and regret take hold of the court, Heinrey (Lee Jong-suk), the charming crown prince of the Western Kingdom, turns his eye to Navier.

— Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of regret

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contrite

contriteness

contrition

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“Contriteness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contriteness. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of contriteness

noun

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