remorse

/rəˈmɔrs/

/rəˈmɔs/

Other forms: remorses

Remorse, a noun, is what you feel if you regret your actions or wish for another outcome.

The noun remorse has a very vivid origin. It comes from the Latin roots re for "again" and mordere "to bite." So, if you feel remorse, it means that your conscience is working on you, your past actions are biting you back, and making you feel very regretful. Synonyms for this word are "penitence," "rue," and "contrition." If you took a cookie from the cookie jar and ate it you can't return it; all you can feel is remorse for what you did!

Definitions of remorse

1. noun

   a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
   synonyms: compunction, self-reproach

   types:

   guilt, guilt feelings, guilt trip, guilty conscience

   remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense

   penance, penitence, repentance

   remorse for your past conduct

   survivor guilt

   a deep feeling of guilt often experienced by those who have survived some catastrophe that took the lives of many others; derives in part from a feeling that they did not do enough to save the others who perished and in part from feelings of being unworthy relative to those who died

   type of:

   regret, rue, ruefulness, sorrow

   sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment