remorse

noun

re·​morse ri-ˈmȯrs 

1

: a gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs : self-reproach

2

obsolete : compassion

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

Choose the Right Synonym for remorse

penitence, repentance, contrition, compunction, remorse mean regret for sin or wrongdoing.

penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.

tearful expressions of contrition

compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

remorse suggests prolonged and insistent self-reproach and mental anguish for past wrongs and especially for those whose consequences cannot be remedied.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

Examples of remorse in a Sentence

I could forgive him for what he did if he showed some remorse.

he felt a deep remorse for having neglected his family over the years

Recent Examples on the Web

Inability to make eye contact could be interpreted as guilt or shame, while facial expressions contrary to the tone of the proceedings could be seen as cold or lacking remorse. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2025

In an email following the discussions, Cox allegedly confirmed that King expressed remorse and apologized after confirming the accusations. —Esther Kang, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025

The 24-year-old apologized to Smoke’s family in court, expressing remorse for his actions and regretting the life of the rapper, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson. —Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 24 Feb. 2025

The final man to be convicted in the 2020 killing of rapper Pop Smoke is expressing remorse for his role in the shooting death, for which he was sentenced to 29 years on Friday in Los Angeles. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing remorse

• agonies of guilt/remorse/regret

Rhymes for remorse

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racecourse
• racehorse
• seahorse
• workforce

Kids Definition

remorse

noun

re·​morse ri-ˈmȯ(ə)rs 

: a deep regret coming from a sense of guilt for past wrongs : self-reproach

Etymology

Middle English remorse "a deep regret for having done wrong," from early French remors (same meaning), from Latin remorsus, noun derivative of remordēre "to bite again," from mordēre "to bite" — related to morsel

Word Origin

The Latin verb remordēre literally meant "to bite again." The Romans, however, usually used it with the meaning "to torment," because being tormented was like getting bitten again and again. A noun derivative of this verb is remorsus, which in early French was used to form the noun remors. This noun was used to refer to the deep regret that torments one for having done something wrong. In the 15th century, this French word was taken into English as remorse with the same meaning.