remorse

[ ri-mawrs ]

noun

1. deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.

   Synonyms: contrition

2. Obsolete. pity; compassion.

remorse

/ rɪˈmɔːs /

noun

1. a sense of deep regret and guilt for some misdeed
2. compunction; pity; compassion

Derived Forms

• reˈmorsefully, adverb
• reˈmorseful, adjective
• reˈmorsefulness, noun

Other Words From

• prere·morse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of remorse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English from Middle French remors from Medieval Latin remorsus, past participle of Latin remordēre, “to bite back, vex, nag,” equivalent to Latin re- re- + mordēre “to bite” ( mordant )

Word History and Origins

Origin of remorse¹

C14: from Medieval Latin remorsus a gnawing, from Latin remordēre to bite again, from re- + mordēre to bite

Synonym Study

See regret.

Example Sentences

It’s the pain of losing a favorite shirt, the remorse of giving something away too soon or the release of donating once-loved garments, offering them to new people and new perspectives.

From Los Angeles Times

Saying the killer had shown no remorse, a judge on Friday sentenced Samuel Woodward to life in prison without parole for murdering a gay former schoolmate in January 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

"When I found out some of the things that had been going on, I just felt enormous guilt, enormous remorse," he tells me.

From BBC

Mr Tiwana pointed out his client’s guilty plea, remorse, attempts to stop the attack and array of health issues including chest, lung and heart problems, but the judge said the attack had been "horrific".

From BBC

Lichtenstein, who has been in prison since his arrest in February 2022, expressed remorse for his actions.

From BBC

Related Words

• anguish
• compassion
• contrition
• grief
• guilt
• penance
• pity
• regret
• repentance
• shame
• sorrow