remorse
/rɪˈmɔːs/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Remorse is a deep feeling of guilt and sadness after you have done something wrong. It is stronger and more painful than simple regret.
- He felt remorse after lying to his friend.
- She showed no remorse for her actions.
- His voice sounded full of remorse.
Adinary Nuance
Remorse is stronger than regret. You can regret a mistake without feeling deeply guilty, but remorse usually means real moral pain. It is also stronger than sadness, because it usually follows a wrong action. Writers choose remorse when they want to show serious guilt, not just disappointment.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự hối hận
- Spanish
- remordimiento
- Chinese
- 懊悔
- Japanese
- 後悔
- Korean
- 후회
Etymology
Remorse came into English in the late Middle Ages from Old French remors, from Latin remordere, meaning “to bite back” or “to trouble again.” The idea is of a feeling that keeps hurting you.
Common phrases
feel remorseshow remorsedeep remorseno remorse
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is remorse stronger than regret?
- Yes. Remorse usually means deeper guilt and more emotional pain than regret.
- Is remorse a formal word?
- Yes. It is common in formal speech, writing, and legal contexts.
- Can I say “I have remorse”?
- It is better to say “I feel remorse” or “I feel remorseful.”
- What is the opposite of remorse?
- A simple opposite is “remorseless,” meaning without remorse.