contrite
/kənˈtraɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtraɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtrīt also ˈkän-ˌtrīt/ (ame, mw)
contrite — adjective
- contritepositive
- more contritecomparative
- most contritesuperlative
1. feeling genuine sadness and shame after doing something wrong, together with a s
feeling genuine sadness and shame after doing something wrong, together with a sincere wish to make things right again.
Kwame wrote a contrite letter to his grandmother after he broke her favorite vase.
contrite + letter — expressing remorse through action
The CEO felt deeply contrite about the data breach that exposed millions of users.
deeply contrite about [something]
Amara offered a contrite smile as she returned the library book two weeks overdue.
Jamal was genuinely contrite that his careless words had hurt a close colleague.
Finn has written several contrite emails to the project team trying to make amends.
- remorseful
Similar intensity but more emotional — focuses on the painful ache of guilt rather than the desire to fix things.
- repentant
Emphasizes a decision to change future behavior; often carries religious overtones.
- apologetic
More general and often less intense — can describe a polite 'sorry' without deep shame.
- unrepentant
Feeling no regret or shame for wrongdoing.
- defiant
Openly refusing to accept blame or show remorse.
文法句型
be contrite about [something]
be contrite for [doing something]
be contrite + that-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal or written contexts — a contrite person does not just say sorry but feels the weight of their wrongdoing. Compare with sense 1 of 'apologetic', which can describe a more routine or polite expression of regret.