contrition
noun
con·tri·tion
kən-ˈtri-shən 
: the state of being contrite : repentance
She shed tears of contrition for her sins.
Synonyms
Examples of contrition in a Sentence
Were her tears a true sign of contrition?
we were moved to forgive by his tearful expressions of contrition
Recent Examples on the Web
Eddie Moore/Pool via Reuters The prosecution had cited Gutierrez-Reed's lack of contrition during the trial as one reason to impose the maximum sentence.
—
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
In the filing, prosecutor Kari Morrissey asked that she be sentenced to the maximum — 18 months — and said that the recorded calls show her lack of contrition.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Apr. 2024
As is his nature, Trump didn’t show any sign of contrition.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
Since Catherine’s statement on Friday, there has been a global outpouring of well wishes — and contrition — and backlash toward those showing contrition.
—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
The issue of character is important since the punishment will take into account his contrition and the scale of his deception.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
The lack of a retraction or any real sign of contrition comes as the Smirnov allegations continue to implode in spectacular fashion.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
Zuckerberg’s contrition — whether real, fake, or somewhere in between — doesn’t really matter one way or the other, though.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024
In the days after the attack, Trump had expressed what Pence thought was genuine contrition over the attack, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation.
—Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2024
Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2024
In the filing, prosecutor Kari Morrissey asked that she be sentenced to the maximum — 18 months — and said that the recorded calls show her lack of contrition.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Apr. 2024
As is his nature, Trump didn’t show any sign of contrition.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024
Since Catherine’s statement on Friday, there has been a global outpouring of well wishes — and contrition — and backlash toward those showing contrition.
—Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2024
The issue of character is important since the punishment will take into account his contrition and the scale of his deception.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024
The lack of a retraction or any real sign of contrition comes as the Smirnov allegations continue to implode in spectacular fashion.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
Zuckerberg’s contrition — whether real, fake, or somewhere in between — doesn’t really matter one way or the other, though.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024
In the days after the attack, Trump had expressed what Pence thought was genuine contrition over the attack, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation.
—Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contrition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contrition
Cite this Entry
“Contrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrition. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contrition
noun
con·tri·tion
kən-ˈtrish-ən
: the state of being contrite
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