wave of remorse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of remorse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of regret or guilt that someone experiences. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he was hit by a wave of remorse that left him speechless."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If the nation votes to stay in the EU it will engender "a wave of remorse".

The Guardian

The death of the respected photojournalist set off a wave of remorse and homages on social media.

Vice

Watching that program, I felt a wave of remorse; what we did to our classmate on the playground that day was one point on the continuum of violence and domination that includes hazing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Waves of remorse began to replace the waves of nausea I'd felt when I was pregnant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Romo's comment opens up the select world of this day's honorees in a way that has left me disturbed in wave after wave of overwhelming remorse.

Huffington Post

But they're too filled with delicious schadenfreude at the wave of buyer's remorse that has swept the Democratic Party; many Democrats are questioning whether Obama is fighting back hard enough against McCain, and many are wondering, given his inability to open up a lead in a country fed up with Republicans, if race will be an insurmountable factor.

The New York Times

One would think this wave of buyer's remorse, coming less than three months after Republicans rose to power, would make someone like me happy.

Huffington Post

"Eh, yeah, it... was fun," one man said with the conviction of someone desperately attempting to stave off the oncoming wave of buyer's remorse about to hit.

Vice

Her lack of remorse was also astounding.

Independent

"In terms of remorse, Your Honor, I can't imagine more remorse," he said.

The New Yorker

He showed no signs of remorse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "wave of remorse" to vividly describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of regret, often following a realization of wrongdoing or the consequences of one's actions. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative writing to convey a character's internal emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of remorse" to describe mild regret or disappointment. The phrase implies a powerful emotional experience, so reserve it for situations where the feeling is truly profound and overwhelming.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of remorse" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a specific type of feeling: a sudden, intense experience of regret or guilt. It's often used as the subject or object of a verb, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples, such as "Watching that program, I felt a wave of remorse."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of remorse" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of regret or guilt. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is categorized as having neutral register and has its use very common in the “News & Media” domains. While there are alternatives like "pang of guilt" or "rush of regret", this phrase specifically emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of the emotion. It is important to reserve it for describing feelings that are truly profound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of deep regret

Changes "wave" to a more general "feeling" and specifies the type of regret.

pang of guilt

Replaces "remorse" with "guilt" and "wave" with "pang", indicating a sharp, sudden feeling.

rush of regret

Uses "rush" instead of "wave", suggesting a sudden and intense feeling of regret.

moment of contrition

Replaces "remorse" with the more formal "contrition", indicating sincere regret.

attack of conscience

Shifts the focus to the conscience, suggesting a sudden realization of wrongdoing.

fit of repentance

Uses "repentance" to emphasize the act of expressing remorse and turning away from wrongdoing.

surge of sorrow

Focuses on the sadness associated with remorse, using "sorrow" instead of "remorse".

twinge of shame

Indicates a smaller, more subtle feeling of regret using "shame" and "twinge".

wash of regret

Uses "wash" to describe the feeling of regret, implying a gentle but pervasive emotion.

outburst of apology

Focuses on the expression of remorse through an apology.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "wave of remorse" in a sentence?

The phrase "wave of remorse" is best used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of regret or guilt. For example: "After the argument, a "wave of remorse" washed over him as he realized the hurt he had caused."

What are some alternatives to "wave of remorse"?

Alternatives to "wave of remorse" include "pang of guilt", "rush of regret", or "feeling of deep regret", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "wave of remorse" in formal writing?

Yes, "wave of remorse" can be used in formal writing, particularly in narrative or descriptive contexts where conveying strong emotions is appropriate. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of the piece to ensure it fits the context.

What's the difference between "wave of remorse" and "feeling remorseful"?

"Wave of remorse" describes a sudden, overwhelming experience of regret, while "feeling remorseful" describes a more general and ongoing state of being regretful. The former is an intense, acute experience, whereas the latter is a more sustained emotion.