contrite
feeling deep remorse for having done wrong
Word origin: From Latin contritus, worn down or bruised.
Contrite in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing contrite in a sentence.
The contrite student apologized to the teacher he had insulted.
The executive issued a contrite statement acknowledging that the company had ignored repeated warnings.
Using “contrite” well
Contrite signals genuine remorse rather than a perfunctory apology, distinguishing it from a merely strategic regret. It pairs naturally with penitent and repentant.
More GRE words starting with C
a small secret group plotting against a government or authority
having a hidden or mysterious meaning understood only by initiates
a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
to obtain something by begging or sponging off others
falling off or shed at an early stage, especially of plant parts
to coax someone into doing something through flattery or persuasion
an event causing great damage, loss, or distress
misty, dim, or dark, and therefore obscure
Questions about “contrite”
See these words the way the GRE tests them.
Definitions in isolation do not stick. Sit a free, full-length GRE mock and meet this vocabulary inside real text completion and sentence equivalence questions, with your score and a worked solution for every answer.