Synonyms of remorse

remorse

noun

ri-ˈmȯrs 

as in guilt

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• guilt
• regret
• shame
• remorsefulness
• contrition
• repentance
• penitence
• sadness
• grief
• sorrow
• self-reproach
• contriteness
• anguish
• rue
• compunction
• apology
• blame
• culpability
• qualm
• responsibility
• embarrassment
• scruple
• misgiving
• distress
• chagrin
• prick
• fault
• ruth
• excuses
• liability
• rap
• bloodguilt
• hand-wringing
• bloodguiltiness
• mea culpa

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impenitence
• remorselessness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word remorse distinct from other similar nouns?

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.

thieves untroubled by feelings of remorse

When is compunction a more appropriate choice than remorse?

While in some cases nearly identical to remorse, compunction implies a painful sting of conscience especially for contemplated wrongdoing.

had no compunctions about taking back what is mine

When is it sensible to use contrition instead of remorse?

The words contrition and remorse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contrition stresses the sorrowful regret that constitutes true penitence.

tearful expressions of contrition

When would penitence be a good substitute for remorse?

The synonyms penitence and remorse are sometimes interchangeable, but penitence implies sad and humble realization of and regret for one's misdeeds.

absolution is dependent upon sincere penitence

When might repentance be a better fit than remorse?

The words repentance and remorse can be used in similar contexts, but repentance adds the implication of a resolve to change.

repentance accompanied by a complete change of character

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of remorse

Van Niman's attorney Robert Jones told The Enquirer that Van Niman has expressed deep remorse for what happened. —Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025

But investor remorse isn’t limited to the crypto industry. —Ashley Lutz, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025

In a sentencing order, the judge said Martinez’s refusal to express remorse for his criminal conduct closed off the judge’s ability to deliver a sentence lower than the 34 months requested by prosecutors. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025

And although Abe offered remorse for Japan’s war crimes at a summit in Indonesia in 2015, the following day three of his cabinet ministers visited the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a memorial to Japan’s war dead and widely seen as a symbol of its militarism. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Sep. 2025