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Contrite vs Remorseful - What's the difference?

contrite | remorseful |

Remorseful is a synonym of contrite.



As adjectives the difference between contrite and remorseful

is that contrite is sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic while remorseful is feeling or filled with remorse.

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)
    ----

    remorseful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (of a person) Feeling or filled with remorse.
    • He was so remorseful that he voluntarily paid full restitution.
  • Expressing or caused by remorse.
    • There was a remorseful look on her face.

    Synonyms

    * penitent * apologetic * regretful *

    Antonyms

    * unremorseful * unrepentant

    Related terms

    * remorse * remorsefully * remorsefulness

    References

    * * * " remorseful" in Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press 2007. * Oxford English Dictionary , 2nd ed., 1989. * Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary , 1987-1996.