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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
  1. remorse
  2. guilt
  3. regret
Noun
  • The judge also weighed mitigating factors, including that Molloy was experiencing difficult personal circumstances, stopped of his own volition and had shown genuine remorse.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors sharply disputed that portrayal, arguing Flynn has never accepted responsibility or shown genuine remorse.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of remorse
Noun
  • Nacer is quite good at variations of patriarchal obliviousness, and Pebdani suffuses her women with streaks of guilt.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Men brought in from outside are coached to act out romances with her again and again, performing love, regret and guilt while their tears are gathered.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • There is nothing left in the tank, and there are no regrets in my heart.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • What galls, perhaps, is less the accident itself than the absence of a person stepping out from behind the wheel, having a human experience of horror and regret.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of regret

Browse Nearby Words

contrite
contriteness
contrition
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Cite this Entry

“Contriteness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contriteness. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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