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Remorse Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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remorse

[rษชหˆmษ”หs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

Synonyms

guilt, penitence, regret.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
remorse

Remorse is a deep, torturing sense of guilt felt over wrongdoing. It often involves a wish that one could undo the actions and can be very intense.

  • She felt genuine remorse for lying to her best friend
  • After the accident, he was filled with remorse for his reckless driving
regret

Regret is a feeling of sadness or disappointment over something you have done or failed to do. It usually implies a wish that things had been different but can be related to minor actions.

  • She had no regrets about her life choices
  • He expressed regret that he couldn't attend the meeting
guilt

Guilt is a feeling of responsibility or regret for a perceived offense, real or imaginary. It does not necessarily involve deep emotional pain.

  • He felt a sense of guilt after breaking the vase
  • She couldn't shake the guilt of forgetting her mother's birthday
penitence

Penitence is the feeling of sincere and deep sorrow that you have done something wrong. It often involves the desire to make amends.

  • He showed true penitence by apologizing and trying to make things right
  • Her penitence led her to volunteer at the shelter

Examples of usage

  • He felt a deep remorse for his actions.
  • She was filled with remorse after realizing the consequences of her mistake.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To feel deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

Synonyms

apologize, regret, repent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
remorse

Used when someone feels deeply sorry for something they have done, especially when it has caused serious harm or pain to others. It often involves a moral element and intense emotional regret.

  • She felt deep remorse after realizing the impact of her harsh words.
  • His voice was filled with remorse when he spoke about his past actions.
regret

Used when someone feels sorry about a particular event or decision. It can be used for both minor and major things and doesn't always involve a moral aspect.

  • She regrets not studying harder for the exam.
  • He expressed regret over missing his friend's wedding.
repent

Used in a religious or moral context where someone feels sincere regret and seeks forgiveness, often involving a commitment to change one's behavior. It implies a deeper, spiritual level of remorse.

  • The sinner went to the church to repent for his misdeeds.
  • He repented after realizing how much harm he had caused.
apologize

Used when someone acknowledges a mistake or wrongdoing and expresses a desire to make amends. It can be formal or informal and doesn't necessarily imply deep emotional regret.

  • I apologize for being late to the meeting.
  • He apologized to his friend for accidentally spilling the drink.

Examples of usage

  • He remorsefully apologized for his behavior.
  • She remorsefully confessed to her mistake.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Remorse is often linked to moral reasoning and reflects a recognition of wrongdoing, which can lead to personal growth.
  • Experiencing remorse can trigger pro-social behaviors, encouraging people to make amends or seek forgiveness.

Literature

  • Many classic literary works explore the theme of remorse, such as Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', where characters suffer deeply after their actions.
  • In Dostoevskyโ€™s 'Crime and Punishment', the protagonist grapples with profound remorse that drives the narrative and his eventual redemption.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In various cultures, expressing remorse can be an essential part of reconciliation, allowing individuals to mend broken relationships.
  • Some Indigenous cultures view remorse as integral to healing practices, emphasizing community and personal responsibility for one's actions.

Pop Culture

  • Remorse is a common theme in movies, such as 'Atonement', where characters face the consequences of their mistakes throughout the story.
  • Songs like 'Sorry' by Justin Bieber capture the essence of remorse through lyrics about regret and the desire to make things right.

Origin of 'remorse'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'remorse' comes from the Latin term 'remordere', meaning 'to bite back', which reflects the idea of being bitten by guilt.
  • In Middle English, the word formed as 'remorse' encapsulated feelings of guilt and compassion combined.

The word 'remorse' originated from the Latin word 'remorsus', which means 'to bite back'. It was first used in English in the late 14th century. The concept of remorse has been explored in various philosophical and psychological contexts, highlighting the complex nature of human emotions and moral responsibility.

See also: remorseful, remorsefully, remorselessly, unremorseful.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,224, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.