A contrite person is one who expresses sincere remorse for their actions or words. Synonyms for contrite person include penitent, remorseful, regretful, apologetic, sorrowful, and rueful. A penitent person acknowledges their wrongdoing and seeks to make amends. A remorseful person feels deep sorrow and regret for their actions. An apologetic person expresses regret and seeks forgiveness. A sorrowful person feels a sense of sadness and grief for their actions. A rueful person experiences a feeling of regret or sorrow for the consequences of their actions. All of these terms describe someone who is willing to take responsibility for their behavior and express genuine regret for their impact on others.