contrite
Guilty and remorseful
Contrite describes someone who feels genuine remorse for wrongdoing—not just regret at being caught, but sincere guilt about the act itself.
A contrite apology comes from someone who truly acknowledges fault: He seemed contrite after realizing how much he'd hurt her.
The word carries religious overtones from its use in confession and penitence.
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
expiation · redemption · repentant · sorrowful · self-reproach · compunction · penitential · sackcloth
Feeling guilt and disgrace
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- at faultDeserving blame
- responsibleObligated to answer for actions
guilt-ridden · conscience-stricken · shamefaced · chastened · answerable · wrongdoing · self-accusation · self-blame
Expressing regret or apology
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
pardon · reconciliation · acknowledgment · pleading · begging · excuse · sincere · heartfelt
Humbly unassertive
- subduedReduced in intensity
- chastenedHumbled by correction
- bowedCurved or bent over
- downcastSad or despondent
submissive · deferential · modest · sheepish · abashed · crestfallen · humility · lowly
repentance
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
absolution · expiation · redemption · repentant · sorrowful · self-reproach · compunction · penitential · sackcloth · reformation
ashamed
Feeling guilt and disgrace
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
- at faultDeserving blame
responsible · guilt-ridden · conscience-stricken · shamefaced · chastened · answerable · wrongdoing · self-accusation · self-blame · heavy heart
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
forgiveness · pardon · reconciliation · acknowledgment · pleading · begging · excuse · sincere · heartfelt · making amends
meek
Humbly unassertive
downcast · submissive · deferential · modest · sheepish · abashed · crestfallen · humility · lowly · brought low
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology
- guiltguilty, guilt trip, guilty conscience, remorseful, remorse
- peaceful traitspeaceful, gentle, calm, soothing, peaceable
- Apology wordsapology, oops, excuse me, pardon me, my bad
- at faultguilty, at fault, to blame, culpable, blameworthy
contriteunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
impenitent · remorseless · unapologetic · unremorseful · defiant
- act of contritionPrayer acknowledging wrongdoing
contrition, contriteness, contritely, contritions, uncontrite