SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
contrition
noun
Sincere remorse for wrongdoing.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
CHOOSE WITH CARE
A useful distinction
Alternatives apply to the displayed meaning. Related wording may differ in tone or grammar and is not always interchangeable.
Sincere remorse for wrongdoing
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topAlternatives apply to the displayed meaning. Related wording may differ in tone or grammar and is not always interchangeable.
RELATED FORMS, ONE FEATURED ENTRY
The contrite family
contrition is grouped under contrite in the main dictionaries. This form keeps its meaning and previous study record.
contriteadjective
Feeling or showing sincere remorse.
Feeling or showing sincere remorse
Closest synonyms
Related expressions
The contrite student admitted altering the figures.
His contrite letter offered a direct apology.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See contrition in use
Her expression of contrition was followed by an attempt to repair the damage.
The apology showed contrition rather than self-pity.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license