Definition

1. Noun:
   • The state of feeling remorseful and penitent for one's sins or wrongdoings: "Contriteness" refers to a deep, sincere sorrow and regret for having committed sins or offenses, often arising from a sense of having offended a moral or divine law. It implies a genuine desire for atonement.

Usage

• Contriteness is a formal and somewhat literary noun, most commonly used in religious, moral, or serious ethical contexts to describe a profound level of remorse. It is not typically used for minor, everyday regrets.

Examples

• The priest could see the genuine contriteness in the man's eyes during confession.
• Her letter of apology was filled with such contriteness that it moved everyone who read it.
• True repentance requires more than just words; it requires heartfelt contriteness.

Advanced Usage

• "An attitude of contriteness": A demeanor or state of mind characterized by penitence.
  • He approached the council with an attitude of contriteness, hoping for forgiveness.
• "To show/express/demonstrate contriteness": To visibly or verbally convey one's remorse.
  • The defendant showed no contriteness for his actions during the trial.

Variants and Related Words

• Contrite (adj.): Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.
  • He was deeply contrite after realizing the harm he had caused.
• Contrition (n.): The state of being contrite; sincere penitence or remorse. (This is a more common synonym for "contriteness".)
  • She felt a profound sense of contrition for her mistake.

Synonyms

• Remorse: Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
• Penitence: The action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.
• Compunction: A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.
• Repentance: The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.

Antonyms

• Defiance: Open resistance; bold disobedience.
• Impenitence: The state of not feeling regret or shame about one's actions or attitudes.
• Innocence: The state, quality, or fact of being innocent of a crime or offense.

Noun

1. sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation