Synonyms:
attrition, contrition, contriteness
Meaning: sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation
Usage examples
Act of Contrition.
I trust you will allow me to express my contrition."
But I must say that your persistent denial of your complicity with that scoundrel Jackson does not look much like contrition, or intended amendment."
It was when Sam Webber was fullest of contrition and good resolves that Mexico, with a heavy sigh, subsided from his regular, brisk trot into a slow complacent walk.
With an uncontrollable pang of pain she dropped her hands from the fastenings of her cloak, and wrung them together in front of her--a dumb gesture of contrition and of grief.
But I make no doubt of the London journey, nor of John's contrition and fidelity. I have just received, from my Gainsborough friend, this letter, as I suppose, from your good father, in a cover, directed for me, as I had desired.