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.
Antonyms
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.
