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Contrition: meaning, definitions and examples

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contrition

 

[ kənˈtrɪʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

feeling of remorse

Contrition is the feeling of guilt or remorse for a wrongdoing. It involves a sincere acknowledgment of one's mistakes and a desire to make amends.

Synonyms

regret, remorse, repentance.

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Word Description / Examples
contrition

Feeling of sincere remorse and deep regret, often expressed in a religious or formal setting.

  • The priest emphasized the importance of genuine contrition for absolution
  • Her contrition was evident in her tearful apology
remorse

A strong feeling of guilt and regret for a wrong action, often with a sense of emotional pain.

  • He felt deep remorse after realizing the impact of his actions on his friends
  • She couldn't sleep because of the remorse weighing on her mind
repentance

The action of feeling sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin, often with a commitment to change behavior.

  • His repentance was clear through his charitable work and humble attitude
  • She sought repentance for her mistakes and vowed to lead a better life
regret

A feeling of sadness or disappointment over something that has happened or been done, typically less intense than remorse.

  • I regret eating that extra slice of cake
  • She expressed regret over missing the meeting

Examples of usage

  • I could see the contrition in his eyes as he apologized for his actions.
  • She expressed her contrition by making a heartfelt apology to those she had hurt.
  • His contrition was evident in the way he took responsibility for his mistakes.
  • Their contrition led them to seek forgiveness and try to right their wrongs.
  • The priest advised him to show contrition for his sins and seek redemption.

Translations

Translations of the word "contrition" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contrição

🇮🇳 पश्चाताप

🇩🇪 Reue

🇮🇩 penyesalan

🇺🇦 покаяння

🇵🇱 skrucha

🇯🇵 悔い改め (くいあらため)

🇫🇷 contrition

🇪🇸 contrición

🇹🇷 pişmanlık

🇰🇷 후회 (huhoe)

🇸🇦 ندم (nadam)

🇨🇿 pokání

🇸🇰 pokánie

🇨🇳 悔改 (huǐgǎi)

🇸🇮 pokora

🇮🇸 iðrun

🇰🇿 өкініш

🇬🇪 მონანიება (monanieba)

🇦🇿 peşmançılıq

🇲🇽 contrición

Etymology

The word 'contrition' comes from the Latin word 'contritus', which means 'crushed' or 'ground to pieces'. In the religious context, contrition refers to the act of repenting for one's sins. The concept of contrition has been a significant aspect of various religious traditions and moral teachings throughout history, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging one's mistakes and seeking forgiveness.

See also: contrite, contritely.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,469, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.