adjective

contrite

remorseful, penitent

She was contrite after her angry outburst.

She was contrite after her angry outburst.

He wrote a contrite letter of apology.

He wrote a contrite letter of apology.

((to be)) contrite ((for sth.)) to be feeling or expressing remorse for a misdeed. She was contrite for her angry outburst.

Synonyms: remorseful, penitent, repentant; Antonyms: unrepentant, impenitent

From Latin 'con-' (together) and 'terere' (to rub, grind). The idea is of being 'ground down' by guilt.

Imagine someone 'crushed' by the weight of their guilt, as if they've been ground down.

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