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

Lemieux showed zero remorse for Draper’s injuries and didn’t apologize. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

To know if estrangement makes sense for you, Bryant suggests asking yourself a few questions: Does the person express any remorse? —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025

Prosecutors reduced the second-degree murder charge to first-degree manslaughter in exchange for the guilty plea, telling the judge that Cruz, through an attorney, expressed remorse and wanted to take responsibility for the crime. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Nix’s attorneys argued for a lighter sentence, saying the girl’s death was an isolated incident, and Nix expressed remorse. —Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 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.