1
Core quality
Genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
Example
The student appeared genuinely contrite after admitting the deception.
contrite
/kənˈtraɪt/ · kun-TRYTadjective
Genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
Use contrite to express this relationship precisely: genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
What contrite Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Attributive or predicative use
Use this adjective before a suitable noun or after a linking verb such as be or seem.
Example
Her contrite letter acknowledged the harm she had caused.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact descriptive quality matters; a related word may overlap without conveying the same trait.
Example
He sounded embarrassed but not particularly contrite.
Use contrite Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The student appeared genuinely contrite after admitting the deception.
Her contrite letter acknowledged the harm she had caused.
He sounded embarrassed but not particularly contrite.
Precision Matters
Contrite overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
contrite
vs.Means genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
remiss
Means careless or failing to perform a duty, responsibility, or expected action.
contrite
vs.Means genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
vindictive
Means motivated by a strong desire to punish or hurt someone in revenge for a perceived wrong.
contrite
vs.Means genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
nonchalant
Means appearing casually calm, unconcerned, or indifferent, especially in a situation that might provoke anxiety.
contrite
vs.Means genuinely sorry, remorseful, and ashamed about one's wrongdoing.
candid
Means honest, direct, and unguarded in expression.
Test contrite in Context
The apology expresses sincere remorse for wrongdoing.
1
After seeing the damage caused by her false accusation, she offered a deeply ___ apology.