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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The legendary actor and Jaws star issued a remorseful statement on Friday, explaining why fans wouldn't be able to catch him at the annual event held this year on Saturday and Sunday at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo in Tampa.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
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Jaws star Richard Dreyfuss shared a remorseful video message over the weekend, revealing he had been hospitalized with viral bronchitis and would have to cancel his appearance at fan event SharkCon.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Trump administration's level of sheer corruption is appalling and Paramount should be ashamed of putting its profits over independent journalism.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
2 July 2025
-
Riri’s too ashamed of all the crime she’s enabled since her visit to Wakanda to reach out to her mentor.—
Stacia Brown,
Vulture,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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That, dear reader, is the sorry state of login security today.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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For travelers who’d rather be safe than sorry, here’s how to check for bed bugs and how to avoid bringing them home.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Saira’s overly apologetic personality renders her insufferable for most around her, but not Willow (Gemma Chua-Tran), a musically inclined, goth, non-binary person.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
8 July 2025
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Your tone should be matter-of-fact and confident, not apologetic.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
When in the presence of God, one is meant to assume a penitent air.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 June 2025
-
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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Kim’s regretful aria in Act 1 — suspecting his own brother of his father’s murder, Artaserse has mistakenly ordered him to be executed — was a turning point.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
28 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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