remorse
noun
Did you know?
In Latin, mordere means "to bite;" thus, remorse is something that "gnaws" at you over and over. In criminal court, judges are always looking for signs that a convicted felon is suffering remorse for his crime; if not, the judge may well lengthen his sentence or deny him parole after serving part of it. Remorse is stronger than mere regret; real remorse is the kind of thing that may last a lifetime.
Synonyms
- contriteness
- contrition
- guilt
- penitence
- regret
- remorsefulness
- repentance
- rue
- self-reproach
- shame
Example Sentences
Indy Star Ai Sports, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Feb. 2023 Still, 70% of those surveyed went through a period of remorse related to the decision. —Emily Dreibelbis, PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2023 Add in that Tkachuk won the All-Star MVP this past weekend and perhaps the Flames have a bit of trader’s remorse. —Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2023 Lyle faced a sentence between 9.25 and 15 years for the manslaughter conviction but Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez showed leniency after noting Lyle's remorse, according to NBC Miami. —Melissa Montoya, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2023 Other top reasons for homebuyers’ remorse include location and mortgage rate. —Jessica Sooknanan, CNN, 31 Jan. 2023 Maibach, who is still on staff with the dermatology department, expressed regret and remorse at having taken part in research not compliant with contemporary standards. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2022 Many tech CEOs, with varying degrees of remorse, have blamed over-hiring in the early days of the pandemic for the mass layoffs now. —Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 1 Feb. 2023 Alex was in rehab, full of remorse and asking for prayers. —James Lasdun, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French remors, from Medieval Latin remorsus, from Late Latin, act of biting again, from Latin remordēre to bite again, from re- + mordēre to bite — more at mordant
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing remorse
Kids Definition
remorse
noun remorse
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- guilt
- regret
- shame
- remorsefulness
- contrition
- repentance
- penitence
- sadness
- grief
- sorrow
- contriteness
- self-reproach
- compunction
- anguish
- apology
- rue
- culpability
- blame
- qualm
- embarrassment
- responsibility
- scruple
- misgiving
- distress
- chagrin
- ruth
- prick
- excuses
- fault
- bloodguilt
- mea culpa
- hand-wringing
- liability
- bloodguiltiness
- rap
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impenitence
- remorselessness
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of remorse are compunction, contrition, penitence, and repentance. While all these words mean "regret for sin or wrongdoing," remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.
While in some cases nearly identical to remorse, compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.
The words contrition and remorse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.
The synonyms penitence and remorse are sometimes interchangeable, but penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.
The words repentance and remorse can be used in similar contexts, but repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.