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contrition

[ kuhn-trish-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

sincere penitence or remorse.
Synonyms: ,
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.

contrition

/ ��ə��ˈ�ٰ�ɪʃə�� /

noun

deeply felt remorse; penitence
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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Word History and Origins

Origin of contrition¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If, for one example, Baldoni were to communicate to Lively some contrition for his part in this dispute, it could blunt a great deal of the ongoing fallout.

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The work is an act of contrition for mistakes he initially made and a deeply felt caution to all who report and read breaking news.

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Duran expressed remorse to reporters afterward, although he did so while wearing a T-shirt that read “F— ‘em,” making some onlookers wonder how serious he was about contrition.

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Judge Jane Culver was not convinced of his remorse, saying while there was "some contrition", he didn't seem to understand the clearly "profound and ongoing" suffering that his "prolific" and "disturbing" offending had caused.

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His lawyer hoped that the judges would take account of his contrition.

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Related Words

contrite contrivance

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