English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

remorse

10 synonyms and 5 antonyms for remorse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A deep feeling of guilt or regret for having done something wrong.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

agenbite compunction contrition penitence self-reproach sorriness

Antonyms

apathy irrepentance nonrepentance unremorsefulness unrepentance

How to use remorse

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

show remorse without remorse feel remorse

Etymology

From Old French remors, from Medieval Latin remorsus, from Latin remordere ("to bite back") — the idea of guilt "biting" at your conscience.

Full origin of remorse →

Frequently asked questions

What does “remorse” mean?

The word “remorse” means a deep feeling of guilt or regret for having done something wrong. In plain terms, a strong sense of guilt for something you've done, often lasting after the fact.

How do you pronounce “remorse”?

“Remorse” is pronounced rih-MAWS (/ɹɪˈmɔɹs/ in IPA).

How do you use “remorse” in a sentence?

Here is “remorse” used in a sentence: “He showed no remorse for the harm he had caused.”

What is another word for “remorse”?

Words with a similar meaning to “remorse” include agenbite, rue, ruth, compunction, contrition and guilt.

What is the opposite of “remorse”?

The opposite of “remorse” — its antonyms — are apathy, irrepentance, nonrepentance, unremorsefulness and unrepentance.

What part of speech is “remorse”?

“Remorse” is a noun.

Where does the word “remorse” come from?

The word “remorse” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French remors, from Medieval Latin remorsus, from Latin remordere ("to bite back") — the idea of guilt "biting" at your conscience.

Is “remorse” a common word?

“Remorse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

People also searched

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of remorse
Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.