remorseful
Remorseful (adjective) means feeling genuinely sorry for something you did wrong. Example: “He seemed truly remorseful about missing her birthday.”
How to use remorseful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling bad or guilty about something you did.
Remorseful is about genuine guilt for a wrongdoing, not just general sadness or disappointment.
Word forms
more remorseful comparative, most remorseful superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He seemed truly _____ about missing her birthday.
Etymology
Built from "remorse" (from Latin remordere, "to bite back" — the idea of guilt gnawing at you) plus the adjective ending "-ful."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for remorseful
See all rhymes for remorseful →Frequently asked questions
What does “remorseful” mean?
The word “remorseful” means feeling genuinely sorry for something you did wrong. In plain terms, feeling bad or guilty about something you did.
How do you pronounce “remorseful”?
“Remorseful” is pronounced rih-MAWS-fuul (/ɹɪˈmɔː(ɹ)sfʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “remorseful” in a sentence?
Here is “remorseful” used in a sentence: “He seemed truly remorseful about missing her birthday.”
What is another word for “remorseful”?
Words with a similar meaning to “remorseful” include penitent, apologetic, regretful, repentant, contrite and guilt-ridden.
What is the opposite of “remorseful”?
The opposite of “remorseful” — its antonyms — are remorseless, unremorseful, unrepentant, impenitent and obdurate.
What part of speech is “remorseful”?
“Remorseful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “remorseful” come from?
The word “remorseful” comes from Latin. Built from "remorse" (from Latin remordere, "to bite back" — the idea of guilt gnawing at you) plus the adjective ending "-ful.".
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