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Contrite vs Apology - What's the difference?

contrite | apology |

As nouns the difference between contrite and apology

is that contrite is a contrite person; a penitent while apology is an expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).

As an adjective contrite

is sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic.

contrite

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic.
  • * '>citation
  • * '>citation
  • (obsolete) Thoroughly bruised or broken.
  • Antonyms

    * attrite

    Synonyms

    * See also * apologetic

    Derived terms

    * contritely * contriteness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A contrite person; a penitent.
  • (Hooker)
    ----

    apology

    Alternative forms

    * apologie (archaic)

    Noun

    (apologies)
  • An expression of remorse or regret for having said or done something that harmed another: an instance of apologizing (saying that one is sorry).
  • What he said really hurt my feelings, but his apology sounded so sincere that I couldn't help but forgive him.
    The CEO made a public apology for the scandal, and promised full cooperation with the authorities.
  • A formal justification, defence.
  • The Apology of Socrates.
  • Anything provided as a substitute; a makeshift.
  • a poor apology for a hotel room
  • * Charles Dickens
  • He goes to work devising apologies for window curtains.

    Synonyms

    * (formal justification) apologia

    Derived terms

    * apologian, apologist, apologize, apologizer, preapology

    See also

    * remorse