Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contrite Power delivery, suspension tuning, and handling are almost contrite in Strada (Street) mode and borderline lethargic in pure EV mode. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2024 In Tuesday’s contrite letter to investors, Jun promised Samsung would address these and other issues head-on. Greg McKenna, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024 According to a report from Autosport, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali issued a contrite apology to the teams in the aftermath. Dan Cancian, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 Only one of the officers has been sentenced: a former community service officer named Samantha Peterson, who avoided jail time after reading a contrite statement in court. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 31 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for contrite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrite
Adjective
  • Whetstone said the power was with the poster and encouraged her mother to be remorseful, express mortification with her actions and work to make amends.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The victim's mother told the Daily Mail the teen does not appear to be remorseful.
    Christina Coulter, Fox News, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The documentary follows their journey, focusing not only on the two core members but also on the importance of being special, without feeling ashamed.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Sean Ono Lennon isn't ashamed to have famous parents.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The two would compete against each other in a contest that tested both brains and brawn (sorry, beauty tribe).
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Its latest victory came at San Mamés on Sunday—a 7-1 thrashing of sorry Real Valladolid.
    Henry Flynn, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The driver is apologetic but doesn’t budge, video shows.
    Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Ricky must learn how to set his own schedule, something the constantly late and often apologetic man can’t seem to get a handle on.
    Matthew Creith, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Lyttleton discerned that if Saul was truly converted to Christ, the only explanation was the one Saul himself provided; namely, that the risen Christ appeared to him and called him to repentant faith.
    Dan Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
  • In his new statement, Suga took an even more repentant tone, apologizing for damaging his reputation and disappointing fans while opening himself to any further punishment.
    Justin Curto, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • But with Cash on the vocals, the song and the man singing are nearly penitent.
    Stephanie Kaloi and James Mercadante, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2024
  • Eighteen years later, playing the beloved daughter of Al Pacino’s Michael, she is shot dead on the steps of the opera house in Palermo, taking a bullet meant for the belatedly penitent godfather, who now comprehends without any doubt that there is no escaping the sins of his or his relatives’ past.
    Andrew Marzoni, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023
Adjective
  • Reubens is candid and perhaps regretful about some of his controlling behavior on the show, and its eventual demise; ditto some of the choices made on Big Top Pee-Wee.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • Her scenes with Burstein are rich and funny and regretful; those with June (Jordan Tyson) and Louise (Joy Woods) are withering.
    Jesse Green, New York Times, 20 Dec. 2024

Browse Nearby Entries

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Contrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrite. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contrite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!