noun

contrition

remorse, penitence, repentance

He showed no contrition for his actions.

He showed no contrition for his actions.

Her tears were a sign of true contrition.

Her tears were a sign of true contrition.

to show/feel contrition ((for sth.)) to show or feel remorse for (sth.). He showed no contrition for his actions.

Synonyms: remorse, repentance, guilt; Antonyms: impenitence, remorselessness

From Latin 'contritio', from 'conterere' (to grind). It refers to the feeling of being 'ground down' by guilt.

It's the noun form of the adjective 'contrite'. The feeling a contrite person has is contrition.

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