Contriteness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /kən-ˈtrīt/ con·trite

Meaning & Definition of Contriteness

Contriteness (adjective)

  1. feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable behavior, actions, etc.

Contriteness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing

    "his determination to make things right again was seen as a sign of his sincere contriteness"

    similar: contrition, guilt, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame
    related: compunction, misgiving, prick, qualm, scruple, blame, culpability, fault, liability, rap, responsibility, chagrin, embarrassment, anguish, distress, grief, ruth, sadness, sorrow, bloodguilt, bloodguiltiness, apology, excuses, hand-wringing, mea culpa
    opposite: impenitence, remorselessness

Related Entry: Contrite (adjective)

Contrite is a different word from Contriteness. The synonyms below are for contrite, not for contriteness.

  1. feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done

    "being contrite is not enough to spare you a detention if you're caught skipping class"

    similar: apologetic, compunctious, penitent, regretful, remorseful, repentant, rueful, sorry
    related: ashamed, shamefaced, sheepish, dolorous, grieving, lugubrious, mournful, plaintive, sorrowful, wailing, weeping, woeful
    opposite: impenitent, remorseless, unapologetic, unrepentant
    near: compassionless, cruel, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, unmerciful, shameless, unashamed

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contriteness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contriteness:

contrition, guilt, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Contriteness

Words with the opposite meaning of Contriteness:

impenitence, remorselessness

Related Words for Contriteness

compunction, misgiving, prick, qualm, scruple, blame, culpability, fault, liability, rap, responsibility, chagrin, embarrassment, anguish, distress, grief, ruth, sadness, sorrow, bloodguilt, bloodguiltiness, apology, excuses, hand-wringing, mea culpa

Word Forms of Contriteness

Derived words: contritely (adverb), contriteness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Contriteness

Middle English contrit, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contrītus, past participle of Latin conterere "to pound to pieces, crush, wear out or down, exhaust mentally or physically" (Medieval Latin also, "to crush in spirit with a sense of one's sin, render contrite"), from con- con- + terere "to rub, grind, crush, wear down" trite

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Contriteness

What does "Contriteness" mean?

"Contriteness" means feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable behavior, actions, etc.. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable behavior, actions, etc..

What is another word for "Contriteness"?

Other words for "Contriteness" include contrition, guilt, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance and rue. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contriteness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Contriteness"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Contriteness". Common alternatives include contrition, guilt, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach and shame.

What is the opposite of "Contriteness"?

Antonyms of "Contriteness" include impenitence and remorselessness.

How do you use "Contriteness" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contriteness" in a sentence: "his determination to make things right again was seen as a sign of his sincere contriteness".

Is "Contriteness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contriteness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Contriteness"?

"Contriteness" is pronounced /kən-ˈtrīt/ and divided into syllables as con·trite.

What is the origin of the word "Contriteness"?

"Contriteness" comes from Middle English contrit, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin contrītus, past participle of Latin conterere "to pound to pieces, crush, wear out or down, exhaust mentally or physically" (Medieval Latin also, "to crush in spirit with a sense of one's sin, render contrite"), from con- con- + terere "to rub, grind, crush, wear down" trite. First known use: 14th century.