contrition
Sorrow for wrongdoing
Contrition is deep remorse for wrongdoing, especially moral or spiritual offenses.
The word carries religious weight—in Catholic tradition, contrition is essential for valid confession and absolution.
Outside religious contexts, contrition suggests genuine, heartfelt regret rather than mere embarrassment at being caught: His apology showed no real contrition.
The adjective is contrite.
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
absolution · self-reproach · expiation · atonement · sorrow · regret · shame · guilt
Expressing regret or apology
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensationPayment for services rendered
redress · acknowledgment · admission · mea culpa · reconciliation
Deeply and sincerely meant
- genuineTruly what it claims
- earnestSincerely intense in purpose
- unfeignedAuthentically felt, not pretended
- authenticVerified as original
deep · profound · true · honest · wholehearted · transparent · fervent · devout
Address to deity
- pietySincere religious devotion
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
salvation · holiness · absolution · grace · cleansing · pilgrimage · reverence · sacrament
Gentle, unassertive disposition
- modestyAbsence of vanity
- self-effacementDownplaying one's importance
- lowlinessState of modest rank
- submissivenessDisposition to obey others
deference · humbleness · unpretentiousness · docility · respectfulness · self-abasement · prostration · genuflection
repentance
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
confession · absolution · self-reproach · expiation · atonement · sorrow · regret · shame · guilt · ruefulness
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
compensation · redress · acknowledgment · admission · mea culpa · reconciliation
heartfelt
Deeply and sincerely meant
- genuineTruly what it claims
- earnestSincerely intense in purpose
- unfeignedAuthentically felt, not pretended
authentic · deep · profound · true · honest · wholehearted · transparent · fervent · devout · ardent
prayer
Address to deity
- pietySincere religious devotion
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- sanctificationMaking someone or something sacred
purification · salvation · holiness · absolution · grace · cleansing · pilgrimage · reverence · sacrament · deliverance
meekness
Gentle, unassertive disposition
- modestyAbsence of vanity
- self-effacementDownplaying one's importance
- lowlinessState of modest rank
submissiveness · deference · humbleness · unpretentiousness · docility · respectfulness · self-abasement · prostration · genuflection · bowing
- Penitential Prayersprayer of confession, penitential psalms, forgive me
- emotionsjoy, anger, fear, sadness, love
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, absolve, mercy, grace
- guiltguilty, guilt trip, guilty conscience, remorseful, remorse
- reconciliationreconciliation, reconcile, reconciled, reconciling, making up
- taking responsibilityowning up, admitting fault, confessing, apologizing, accountability
contritionimpenitence
Lack of contrition
unrepentance · remorselessness · obduracy · hardness of heart · incorrigibility
contritionself-justification
Defending one's own actions
self-righteousness · blame-shifting · denial · rationalization · excuse-making
contritiongloating
Smug triumph display
callousness · indifference · smugness · satisfaction · pride
- act of contritionPrayer acknowledging wrongdoing