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Synonyms

remorse

American  
[ri-mawrs] / rɪˈmɔrs /

noun

  1. deep and painful regret for wrongdoing; compunction.

    Synonyms:
    contrition
  2. Obsolete. pity; compassion.


remorse British  
/ rɪˈmɔːs /

noun

  1. a sense of deep regret and guilt for some misdeed

  2. compunction; pity; compassion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See regret.

Other Word Forms

  • preremorse noun
  • remorseful adjective
  • remorsefully adverb
  • remorsefulness noun

Etymology

Origin of remorse

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 )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The Jewish community will want to see a genuine remorse and change before believing that the appropriate place to test this sincerity is on the main stage at the Wireless Festival," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Steyer has repeatedly expressed remorse about his former firm’s ties with the detention company.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Wixon still denies she has done anything wrong, and has shown no remorse for her actions, Fletcher said.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Williams responded, “You know, it is what it is. I feel, like, no remorse for that.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

But he looked at her with some strange remorse, and he saw that she had grown thin and her skin was sere and yellow.

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck