remorse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "remorse" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use "remorse" to refer to a feeling of deep regret or guilt. Example Sentence: After the accident, I felt great remorse for not looking both ways before crossing the street.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Band member Bill Drummond said, with perhaps a hint of burner's remorse: It seemed the most powerful thing to do.

The Guardian - Opinion

Earlier, defence lawyer Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC said Medvedevas had shown "heartfelt" remorse for what he had done to his own daughter.

The Guardian

And that is why Benedict's pastoral letter, for all its expressions of "shame and remorse", is unable to deal with the central issue.

The Guardian

An early guilty plea, showing remorse and saving trial costs, can justify a discount of up to a third.

The Guardian - Opinion

Announcing a further "reduction of your sentence by reason of your guilty plea and genuine remorse", he gave them between 12 months and six years.

The Guardian

"It is clear that the defendant suffers from and shows genuine remorse," he said.

The Guardian

But Goldman argues the trades were not difficult for the fund's "financially sophisticated" senior bankers to understand and has dismissed the claim as "a paradigm of buyer's remorse".

The Guardian - Business

They were also reminded that the perpetrators have no time for remorse.

The Guardian - Sport

Red Dead Redemption made such a huge impact on a lot of players with its elegiac tale of revenge and remorse – and so being cast back into the world after the story ending is a weird jolt to the senses.

The Guardian - Tech

We turned to Gary Lineker and David Lacey for comment, before echoing Greaves's point in a leader article: Be a man, Eric, say sorry By Gary Lineker, on 29 January 1995 Not once during the many years of Eric Cantona's altercations with the various bodies of football, both in France and here in England, has he ever showed the slightest sign of remorse for his actions.

The Guardian - Sport

So am I being a hypocrite running people over in my virtual car without a pang of remorse?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remorse" to convey a deep and genuine feeling of regret for one's actions or inactions. It's appropriate in contexts where responsibility and moral implications are significant.

Common error

Avoid using "remorse" when a milder expression of regret is more appropriate. "Remorse" implies a profound sense of guilt and moral failing, not just disappointment or sadness.

Linguistic Context

Remorse functions primarily as a noun, denoting a deep and painful regret for wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a profound feeling of guilt and moral failing, often carrying a heavier emotional weight than simple regret. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in contexts involving ethical considerations and serious consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "remorse" signifies a profound feeling of regret or guilt for past actions, carrying a weightier emotional and moral implication than simple regret. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its prevalence across varied contexts such as news, business, and scientific domains. The phrase often appears in discussions about accountability, ethical responsibility, and emotional expression. To effectively utilize "remorse", ensure it aligns with the gravity of the situation, reserving it for instances where genuine and deep regret is intended. Understanding its nuances helps to avoid misapplication and enhances precision in conveying feelings of regret or guilt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrition

A formal term for sincere regret about doing something wrong.

compunction

A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

regret

A more general term for feeling sad or disappointed about something that has happened or something that you have done.

guilt

The fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.

self-reproach

The act of blaming or criticizing oneself.

agenbite

A medieval term for recurring inner regret or remorse for something wrong.

penitence

Action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong.

repentance

The feeling or expression of sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing.

pangs of conscience

Feelings of distress arising from guilt or regret.

sorrow

A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others.

FAQs

How do you use "remorse" in a sentence?

"Remorse" is typically used to describe a deep feeling of regret or guilt. For example, "He showed genuine remorse for his actions" or "She was filled with remorse after the accident".

What can I say instead of "remorse"?

You can use alternatives like "contrition", "compunction", or "regret" depending on the context.

Is "remorseful" the same as "remorse"?

No, "remorse" is a noun referring to the feeling itself, while "remorseful" is an adjective describing someone who feels remorse. You might say, "He felt remorse" or "He was remorseful".

What's the difference between "remorse" and "guilt"?

"Guilt" often refers to the feeling of responsibility for a specific action, while "remorse" is a deeper and more pervasive feeling of regret and sorrow for having done something wrong. "Remorse" often encompasses guilt but includes a sense of moral failing.