Word
remorse
Phoneticsre·morse, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹɪˈmɔɹs/
UK/ɹɪmˈɔːs/
Definitions
01regret for wrongdoing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a deep feeling of being sorry for doing something bad or hurting someone.
n. a gnawing distress arising from a sense of guilt for past wrongs or sins.
“He felt a deep sense of remorse after he lied to his best friend.”
“The defendant showed no visible signs of remorse throughout the trial, even when the victims' families provided their emotional testimony.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'feel', 'show', or 'express'.
Teaching tip
While 'regret' can be about simple mistakes, 'remorse' implies a moral failure or having hurt another person.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02pity or compassion
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. an old-fashioned way to say you feel pity or mercy for someone.
n. a feeling of compassion or mercy toward others.
“The cruel king showed no remorse for the prisoners in his dungeon.”
“In the ancient chronicles, the knight was praised for showing remorse to his defeated enemies on the field of battle.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rarely found in modern English outside of historical literature or fantasy writing.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to feel regret
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to feel very sorry or regretful about something you did.
v. to experience or express remorse; to feel deep regret.
“He remorsed his decision to leave the village for many years.”
“The poet wrote of how he remorsed his youthful follies in the twilight of his life.”
Usage
Usually intransitive in older texts, though occasionally seen with a direct object.
Teaching tip
Modern speakers almost exclusively use the noun form; using this as a verb will sound very dated.
Real-World Examples
“A man who stole a ceremonial gong for cancer patients at a Kitchener hospital has expressed his remorse at his sentencing on Wednesday.” “He said his conduct had been good in jail and expressed remorse for his actions.” Etymology
First attested circa 14th century as Middle English remors, from Old French remors, from Medieval Latin remorsus, from Latin remordeō (“to torment, vex”, literally “to bite back”), from re- + mordeō (“to bite”). More at remord.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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