remorse

re·morse

noun \ri-ˈmȯrs\

Definition of REMORSE

1

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

2

obsolete : compassion

Examples of REMORSE

1. I could forgive him for what he did if he showed some remorse.
2. <he felt a deep remorse for having neglected his family over the years>

Origin of REMORSE

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

Related to REMORSE

Synonyms

contriteness, contrition, penitence, regret, guilt, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame

Antonyms

impenitence, remorselessness

Related Words

compunction, misgiving, prick, qualm, scruple; blame, culpability, fault; liability, rap, responsibility; chagrin, embarrassment; anguish, distress, grief, ruth, sadness, sorrow; bloodguilt, bloodguiltiness; apology, excuses, hand-wringing, mea culpa

See Synonym Discussion at penitence

Rhymes with REMORSE

clotheshorse, concourse, crash course, dark horse, dawn horse, dead horse, deforce, discourse, divorce, dray horse, endorse, enforce, extrorse, golf course, gut course, high horse, introrse, iron horse, midcourse, of course, Old Norse, one-horse, packhorse, perforce, post-horse, racecourse, racehorse, recourse, redhorse, resource, retrorse, sawhorse, sea horse, stringcourse, trial horse, unhorse, warhorse, wheelhorse, Whitehorse, workhorse