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remorseful

remorseful

18 4.6
Feeling very sorry for doing something that hurt someone
  • adjective
  • /rɪˈmɔrsfəl/
translation icon : arrepentido
  • She felt remorseful after realizing the hurt her words had caused.

Narcissistic people can also feel guilty, ashamed, and remorseful when they do bad things or get caught.

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Examples

  • And why is he feeling so remorseful now? Because he got caught and kicked out of the military?

    Blog text (19)
  • The question remains: with extensive therapy and if he is truly remorseful, should his wife take him back?

    Blog text (19)
  • Feel guilty or remorseful following a spending episode.

    Academic text (2011)
  • "As he turned into the dining room, she called out, her voice suddenly remorseful, "Just rock her for five minutes."

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The fact that the driver appeared to be genuinely remorseful likely helped.

    Blog text (10)
  • I'm deeply remorseful for the choices I made, but I will accept whatever consequences there might be.

  • My ex has apologized and has been very remorseful even though it was so long ago.

    Blog text (30)
  • Michael has been a model prisoner, and he has done everything that you have asked, and he's remorseful.

  • Dipper threw Julian a last remorseful look.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I spoke with Jamal earlier today and naturally he's feeling quite remorseful regarding his losing control.

Synonyms

sorry
vsremorseful
1.0

Feeling regret for something you did

is deeper sorrow tied specifically to moral wrongdoing or sin
guilty
vsremorseful
793 1.4

Showing that you feel bad about doing something wrong

expresses deeper sorrow and moral anguish beyond mere responsibility
ashamed
vsremorseful
504 1.0

Feeling embarrassed and guilty about something you did or failed to do

is more focused on sorrow for moral fault rather than social embarrassment
apologetic
vsremorseful
28 3.7

Feeling sorry for something you did

is inward deep sorrow and not primarily an offered apology
contrite
vsremorseful
13 8.1

Feeling very sorry for doing something wrong and wanting forgiveness

is similar but focuses on inward regret rather than active amending
regretful
vsremorseful
9 2.9

Feeling sorry for something you did or said

is stronger, involving deep moral regret rather than general wishing
repentant
vsremorseful
8 4.8

Feeling sorry about something you did and wanting to make it right

is more about feeling deep sorrow than promising behavioral change
guilt-ridden
vsremorseful
5 6.5

Feeling very sorry and upset because you did something wrong

is deep regret without always implying total overwhelm by guilt
rueful
vsremorseful
5 7.8

Feeling sorry about something you did and showing it

is purer deep sorrow for wrongdoing without ironic or wry tone
penitential
vsremorseful
1 9.9

Showing sorrow and regret for doing something wrong

is similar sorrow but not necessarily tied to formal penance
conscience-smitten
vsremorseful
9.8

Feeling very guilty about something you did

is deep sorrow for wrongdoing but centers less on conscience turmoil
apologetical
vsremorseful
7.2

Showing that you are sorry for something

is inward deep sorrow rather than mainly signaling an apology

Antonyms

18 7.5

Not feeling sorry for something and not wanting to change

How Remorseful

contrite
13 8.1
remorseful
18 4.6
penitent
4 7.1
regretful
9 2.9
sorry
1.0

Surface Forms

remorseful positive

Morphology

remorseful = remorse (transparent) = remorse + ful

The adjective is a regular formation meaning 'full of remorse', directly derived from the noun 'remorse' plus '-ful'.

Etymology

The word remorseful comes from the Latin parts re- 'again' and mordere 'to bite', so it imagines regret 'biting' you again and again. That's why to be remorseful is to feel deep, painful sorrow for something you have done.