contrition means the state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse. It carries an Arena rating of 1643, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, contrition ranks #2,317 of 14,444 for Most Exacting Words, #2,592 of 14,423 for Most Sublime Words, #3,622 of 14,297 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words, #7,084 of 14,414 for Most Elegant Words.
contrition is pronounced /kənˈtɹɪʃən/.
Why “contrition” is a great word
A state of sincere penitence or remorse for one's wrongdoing, coupled with a resolve to amend one's life. From Old French *contriciun*, from Latin *contrītiōnem* (nominative *contrītiō*), from *conterere* ('to grind, bruise, wear away'), from *con-* ('together') + *terere* ('to rub'); first recorded in English 1250–1300. Unlike 'remorse,' which is the sharp distress of guilt, or 'penitence,' the outward ritual of atonement, contrition is the quiet, internal fracture that makes change possible. It is the solitary kneeling in the dark of a confessional, the cool press of a forehead against stone, the slow, deliberate work of smoothing a crack you yourself made. It is the ache that remains when the shame has faded, a hollow not for sorrow, but for rebuilding.
Etymology
From Old French contriciun (French contrition), from Latin contrītiō.
noun
- The state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse.“Jonathan's mother told Grace on a recent phone call that Jonathan showed no sign of remorse or contrition for his own sister's passing.”
- The act of grinding or rubbing to powder.
Words closest in meaning
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