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Contrite vs Sorrowful - What's the difference?

contrite | sorrowful | Synonyms |

Contrite is a synonym of sorrowful.


As adjectives the difference between contrite and sorrowful

is that contrite is sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic while sorrowful is of a person, full of sorrow; exhibiting sorrow; sad; dejected; distressed; distraught.

As a noun contrite

is a contrite person; a penitent.

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)
    ----

    sorrowful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of a person, full of sorrow; exhibiting sorrow; sad; dejected; distressed; distraught.
  • Producing sorrow; exciting grief; mournful; lamentable; grievous.
    • sorrowful accident
  • * 1900 , L. Frank Baum , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Chapter 23
    • She threw her arms around the Lion's neck and kissed him, patting his big head tenderly. Then she kissed the Tin Woodman, who was weeping in a way most dangerous to his joints. But she hugged the soft, stuffed body of the Scarecrow in her arms instead of kissing his painted face, and found she was crying herself at this sorrowful parting from her loving comrades.

    Synonyms

    * See also * mournful, lamentable, grievous * See also

    External links

    * *