contrition

/kənˈtrɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtrɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtri-shən/ (ame, mw)

contrition — noun

1. a strong feeling of guilt and sorrow after you realize you have done wrong, or a

1.名詞C2
釋義

a strong feeling of guilt and sorrow after you realize you have done wrong, or an open admission of that guilt when you ask to be forgiven

例句

Hamza spoke with real contrition after breaking his sister's camera.

collocation: speak with contrition

The judge noticed clear contrition when Obi returned the stolen phone.

collocation: clear contrition

同義詞
  • remorse

    usually stronger and more painful, especially after serious harm

  • regret

    broader and less moral; often used for everyday choices or losses

  • repentance

    often stresses turning away from sin or wrongdoing, especially in religious contexts

反義詞
  • defiance

    a refusal to admit wrongdoing or accept blame

  • shamelessness

    having no sense of guilt about bad behavior

文法句型

feel contrition

show contrition

speak with contrition

用法筆記

Usually uncountable and more formal than regret. It often appears after verbs such as show, express, or feel, especially when someone is admitting a moral wrong or asking to be forgiven.

常見錯誤

❌I felt contrition about missing the bus.
✅I regretted missing the bus.
💡'Contrition' is usually for moral wrongdoing, not ordinary inconvenience.
❌She showed a contrition after cheating on the test.
✅She showed contrition after cheating on the test.
💡In this meaning, the noun is usually uncountable.