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

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

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

The time for remorse was when my husband was yelling to breathe!

From The Daily Beast

Because primal violence is justified by religious belief, “the offenders have no remorse, no fear, and are extremely confident.”

From The Daily Beast

Sobriety brought a new, kinder, and gentler Womack, who often expressed remorse and regret over his past offenses.

From The Daily Beast

At the time of his extortion conviction, van der Sloot showed no remorse for the blackmail.

From The Daily Beast

Had he any remorse, he would have implicated those who conspired with him to commit the greatest Ponzi scheme in history.

From The Daily Beast

You have, year after year, without the slightest hesitation or remorse, sucked its life-blood from it.

From Project Gutenberg

But among the conflicting sensations which assailed her, there was neither shame nor remorse.

From Project Gutenberg

If the critic repents his evil deeds, it is because something has happened to awake his remorse.

From Project Gutenberg

He didn't know there was a grave, but something weighed him down with unspeakable remorse.

From Project Gutenberg

He realised by Sir Hugh's manner that he regretted his recent action and was now overcome by remorse.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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