REMORSEFUL Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

remorseful

adjective

ri-ˈmȯrs-fəl

Definition of remorseful

as in ashamed

feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done was remorseful about all the trouble that he had caused in the family

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of remorseful Mazzei asked whether Heuermann was truly remorseful. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 The people hoping Henry Ruggs III could be paroled on Thursday were adamant he's improved as a person, is remorseful about the accident that killed a woman in a 2021 car crash, and is ready to re-enter society. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026 In the arbitration hearing, the woman who hit me was crying and very remorseful. — Literary Hub, 5 June 2026 Peters doesn’t appear especially remorseful. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for remorseful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for remorseful

Adjective

Matt Damon isn’t ashamed to be a bit of a Disney adult—and neither are his daughters.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026
Reiley now sees how ashamed her daughter had been of her mental health.

— Rhitu Chatterjee, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of ashamed

Adjective

An apologetic statement this week and commitment to not letting history repeat itself has, though, done little to placate the intensifying scrutiny of his leadership.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The cleaning lady was very apologetic and offered to pay for the sink itself.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of apologetic

Adjective

Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.

— Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.

— Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025

Definition of repentant

Adjective

Having your biggest look also be your most penitent is a bold move, but it’s girded by Rome having put in years of work and collected plenty of horror stories to reflect on.

— Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
In his speech to the Spanish parliament Monday, Leo framed the right of the church to keep priest-penitent conversations confidential as a matter of freedom of religion.

— Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026

Definition of penitent

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remorse

remorseful

remorsefulness

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“Remorseful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remorseful. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of remorseful

adjective

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