Word.ws English Dictionary

Synonyms of contrition

13 similar words

Another word for contrition is guilt. Other synonyms of contrition are penitence, compunction and self-reproach.

Synonyms and similar words for contrition

nounThe state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse.

  • agenbiteRemorse, ayenbite.
  • remorse
  • compunctionA pricking of conscience or a feeling of regret, especially one which is slight or fleeting.
  • guiltRegret for having done wrong.
  • penitenceThe condition of being penitent; a feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning.
  • repentance
  • self-reproachBlame or condemnation directed at the self, as by the conscience.
  • sorriness
  • rue archaic, dialectalSorrow; repentance; regret.
  • ruth archaicRegret, remorse, repentance.

nounThe act of grinding or rubbing to powder.

  • attritionImperfect contrition or remorse.
  • friction
  • rubbingAn impression of an embossed or incised surface made by placing a piece of paper over it and rubbing with graphite...

Meaning of contrition

  1. noun The state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse.
  2. noun The act of grinding or rubbing to powder.

Full definition of contrition

contrition in other languages

Questions about synonyms of contrition

What is another word for contrition?
Contrition has 13 synonyms on Word.ws, such as guilt, penitence, compunction and self-reproach.
What does contrition mean?
Contrition means the state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse.

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: contrition (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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Cite this page: “Synonyms of contrition.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/contrition. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.