as in remorse
a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing
we were moved to forgive by his tearful expressions of contrition
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Recent Examples of contrition
There have been plenty of opportunities for humility, sobriety, contrition.
—
Martin McKenzie-Murray, SPIN, 7 Jan. 2025
If the ensuing cleanup operation wasn't going to be difficult enough, the cat's clear lack of regret and contrition made matters even worse.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Only once did Watson show any type of contrition, which was in a pregame interview before his first preseason game as a member of the Browns.
—Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 29 July 2024
Putin has demonstrated on multiple occasions over the nearly three-year-old war that escalation, not contrition, is his method of choice when the Russian military is pushed into a corner.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrition
Martin McKenzie-Murray, SPIN, 7 Jan. 2025
If the ensuing cleanup operation wasn't going to be difficult enough, the cat's clear lack of regret and contrition made matters even worse.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
Only once did Watson show any type of contrition, which was in a pregame interview before his first preseason game as a member of the Browns.
—Jason Lloyd, The Athletic, 29 July 2024
Putin has demonstrated on multiple occasions over the nearly three-year-old war that escalation, not contrition, is his method of choice when the Russian military is pushed into a corner.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrition
Noun
-
Inability to make eye contact could be interpreted as guilt or shame, while facial expressions contrary to the tone of the proceedings could be seen as cold or lacking remorse.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2025
-
In an email following the discussions, Cox allegedly confirmed that King expressed remorse and apologized after confirming the accusations.—
Esther Kang,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Casey Anthony’s guilt is essentially settled fact among true crime fans.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Even those who retain their jobs may deal with survivor’s guilt or anxiety over future job cuts.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In every scene, he's being devoured by regret, torn apart about doing the right thing, and simmering with an existential anxiety that could blow at any second.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
For the past year, the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research—a theatrical collective with downtown cool—has been immersed in an evolving production of Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov’s timeless study of regret, inertia and longing.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrition. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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