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noun

contrition

sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation

In a sentence

Six example sentences with contrition, each labelled with its topic.

  • The pilgrim's contrition fills three chapters, every night spent awake dreading what waits for him after death.

    Literature

  • Medieval wills often record a donation made in contrition, the giver hoping to shorten his time in purgatory.

    History

  • The painter shows the kneeling figure in an attitude of contrition, eyes lowered and hands open before the altar.

    Art

  • Medieval thinkers asked whether contrition driven by dread of judgment counts as real repentance or merely as prudence.

    Philosophy

  • The mass sets its words of contrition to a low, halting melody, the choir almost whispering its fear of the afterlife.

    Music

  • Wealthy donors built chantry chapels out of contrition, hoping the prayers said there would spare them after death.

    Architecture

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Found in these word lists

Found in 2 published word listsRecognized

Each source is a published word list that contains contrition. No exam board publishes an official GRE, GMAT or SAT list; GMAT words come from GRE lists and the Academic Word List.