1. A strong feeling of rue and misery; especially, a sadness that is associated with some wrong which was done or for some great disappointment: Olive was a piano student who always developed a strong level of contriteness when she did not practice three times a day.
2. A lamentation for sins that have been committed which sometimes comes from a fear of eternal damnation: Sanchez expressed deep contriteness to the leader of his church for the harm he had caused other members of his family.