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contrite

adjective
con·​trite | \ kÉ™n-ˈtrÄ«t also ˈkän-ËŒtrÄ«t How to pronounce contrite (audio) \

Definition of contrite

: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming a contrite criminal a contrite apology contrite sighs
Other Words from contrite Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about contrite

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Other Words from contrite

contritely adverb
contriteness noun

Did You Know?

A person who is contrite may have rubbed someone the wrong way and caused bruised feelings - and there is a hint about the origins of the word in that thought. Contrite came to English by way of Anglo-French from the Latin verb conterere, meaning "to grind" or "to bruise." Conterere, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix com- and terere, meaning "to rub." If you've guessed that trite is a cousin of contrite (through terere), you are correct. Other terere descendants in English include detriment and tribulation, and very possibly the familiar verb try.

Examples of contrite in a Sentence

Allbaugh apologized, though it was clear he was hardly contrite. — Christopher Cooper &Robert Block, Disaster, 2006 … Teddy was immediately contrite. "That was stupid of me. Forgive me." — Jack Higgins, The President's Daughter, 1998 At the airport, the meter registers nine pounds, and of course he had said six or seven. I have a sense now of his feeling somewhat contrite, or perhaps only abashed. — Renata Adler, Pitch Dark, 1983 … for days afterward, afraid of himself and worried about his sanity, he would be contrite and terribly ashamed. — John Nichols, The Milagro Beanfield War, 1974 being contrite is not enough to spare you an arrest if you're caught shoplifting
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Recent Examples on the Web

 In a second tweet posted Wednesday evening, McGrath was contrite but kept the focus on her ultimate goal. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, "Amy McGrath backtracks on Kavanaugh: 'I would have voted no'," 10 July 2019 In his first day before jurors, Almena struck a contrite and sometimes tortured tone. — Megan Cassidy, SFChronicle.com, "Ghost Ship founder testifies in manslaughter trial he is ‘tired, broken-hearted’," 8 July 2019 And given China’s lucrative market, brands almost always back down with a contrite apology. — Mary Hui, Quartz, "A sports drink called Pocari Sweat is caught in the middle of a Hong Kong-China spat," 11 July 2019 While Boeing was in a visibly contrite mood at the opening of the Paris Air Show, rival Airbus launched a new long-range single-aisle jet, beating Boeing to a market that both aviation giants predict will grow. — Angela Charlton, chicagotribune.com, "Boeing's 'sorry' for 737 Max crashes draws mixed responses from victims' families, airlines," 17 June 2019 But the focus on Day One was squarely on Boeing and the state of its downed 737 MAX airliners with a contrite CEO Dennis Muilenburg telling journalists there’s still no timetable for the aircraft to take to the skies. — Bernhard Warner, Fortune, "Boeing CEO to Paris Air Show Crowd: There's 'Still No Timetable' for 737 Max Return," 17 June 2019 When Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon against Toronto in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Myers appeared emotional and contrite about Durant in a post-game press conference. — Mark Medina, The Mercury News, "Warriors’ Bob Myers to meet with Kevin Durant this weekend," 29 June 2019 While Boeing was in a visibly contrite mood at the Paris show's opening, rival Airbus launched a new long-range single-aisle jet, beating Boeing to a market that both aviation giants predict will grow. — CBS News, "Boeing CEO admits "mistake" in handling 737 Max warnings," 17 June 2019 Trump has further alienated many South Koreans by threatening to withdraw from the United States' free-trade agreement with the country, although a relatively contrite appearance before South Korea's parliament in November did mend some bridges. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, "Is Trump making himself irrelevant on North Korea?," 5 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contrite.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of contrite

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for contrite

Middle English contrit, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin contritus, from Latin, past participle of conterere to grind, bruise, from com- + terere to rub — more at throw entry 1

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More Definitions for contrite

contrite

adjective
How to pronounce contrite (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of contrite

formal : feeling or showing regret for bad behavior

See the full definition for contrite in the English Language Learners Dictionary

contrite

adjective
con·​trite | \ ˈkän-ËŒtrÄ«t How to pronounce contrite (audio) , kÉ™n-ˈtrÄ«t\

Kids Definition of contrite

: feeling or showing sorrow for having done something bad or wrong : repentant The prince lowered his head so as to appear humbled and contrite.— Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy

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More from Merriam-Webster on contrite

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contrite

Spanish Central: Translation of contrite

Nglish: Translation of contrite for Spanish Speakers

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