Meaning & use
contrition
Last updated
Sincere remorse or guilt for having done wrong.
See it in a sentence
His tearful apology showed genuine contrition for the harm he had caused.
The company issued a statement of contrition after the data breach.
A note on using this word
Contrition carries a moral or religious weight, implying deep, heartfelt regret rather than a casual 'sorry.'
Words with a similar meaning
remorsepenitence
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
impenitence
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