contrite
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for contrite, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Genuinely sorry and remorseful about something one has done wrong.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use contrite
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
contrite apology
a contrite tone
genuinely contrite
Etymology
From Old French contrit, from Latin contritus ("ground to pieces"), the past participle of conterere ("to grind, bruise") — literally, someone "worn down" by guilt.
Full origin of contrite →Frequently asked questions
What does “contrite” mean?
The word “contrite” means genuinely sorry and remorseful about something one has done wrong. In plain terms, truly sorry, showing real regret for something you did.
How do you pronounce “contrite”?
“Contrite” is pronounced kuhn-TRYT (/kənˈtɹaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “contrite” in a sentence?
Here is “contrite” used in a sentence: “He gave a contrite apology after realizing how much he had hurt her.”
What part of speech is “contrite”?
“Contrite” is an adjective.
Where does the word “contrite” come from?
The word “contrite” comes from Latin. From Old French contrit, from Latin contritus ("ground to pieces"), the past participle of conterere ("to grind, bruise") — literally, someone "worn down" by guilt.
