contrite

/kənˈtraɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtraɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtrīt also ˈkän-ˌtrīt/ (ame, mw)

contrite — 形容詞

  • contritepositive
  • more contritecomparative
  • most contritesuperlative

1. feeling genuine sadness and shame after doing something wrong, together with a s

1.形容詞C1
釋義

懊悔的

為做錯事深感後悔與自責的

feeling genuine sadness and shame after doing something wrong, together with a sincere wish to make things right again.

例句

Kwame wrote a contrite letter to his grandmother after he broke her favorite vase.

Kwame 打破外婆最喜歡的花瓶後，寫了一封充滿懊悔的信給她。

contrite + letter — expressing remorse through action

The CEO felt deeply contrite about the data breach that exposed millions of users.

這位執行長對於洩露數百萬用戶資料的資安事件，感到深深的懊悔。

deeply contrite about [something]

同義詞
  • 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.

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌Jamal felt very contrite when he heard the bad news.
✅Jamal felt very sorry when he heard the bad news.
💡'contrite' is used specifically when you have done something wrong, not for general sad events.
❌His contrite excuse sounded rehearsed.
✅His contrived excuse sounded rehearsed.
💡'contrite' means remorseful; 'contrived' means artificially created.