contrition

American  

[kuhn-trish-uhn] / kənˈtrɪʃ ən /

noun

1. sincere penitence or remorse.

   Synonyms:

   regret, compunction

2. Theology. sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment, arising from a love of God for His own perfections perfect contrition, or from some inferior motive, as fear of divine punishment imperfect contrition.

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contrition British  

/ kənˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. deeply felt remorse; penitence

2. Christianity detestation of past sins and a resolve to make amends, either from love of God ( perfect contrition ) or from hope of heaven ( imperfect contrition )

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Etymology

Origin of contrition

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English contricio(u)n, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin contrītiōn-, stem of contrītiō “grief,” literally, “a wearing down”; equivalent to contrite + -ion

Example Sentences

When Paul pressed him again about his lack of apology, lack of contrition, and inability to even say he “misspoke,” while ribbing him about his “low impulse control” and presentation of “machismo,” Mullin didn’t waver.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

By expressing contrition over her long history of trolling, which is how she rose to fame in the first place, Greene has been catching big headlines.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2026

And the old political playbook — confession, contrition, capitulation — is obviously no longer operative, as candidates find it not only possible but even advantageous to brazen their way through storms of uproar and opprobrium.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2025

The mitigation is meant for those who show contrition or really were unjustly convicted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

You who read this act of contrition should know that by writing it I seek a kind of forgiveness—not yours.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• humiliation
• penance
• penitence
• remorse
• repentance
• sorrow