28 Other Ways to Say REMORSE | Remorse Synonyms (Examples)

Feeling bad about something you did is common, and there are many ways to talk about that guilt. Words like regret, contrition, and penitence help express the feeling of wishing you had acted differently. In this article, we will explore a variety of synonyms for remorse and show examples of how to use each one.

28 Different Ways to Say REMORSE: Another Word for Remorse

Regret

Regret is probably the most common way to express feeling bad about something you did. It shows that you recognize a mistake and wish things had been different. People use it when talking about decisions, actions, or even missed opportunities. Regret works in both casual and serious contexts. Using it can help others understand that you truly acknowledge the impact of your actions.

• I regret not taking that job offer.
• He regretted breaking the antique vase.
• She regrets missing the chance to say goodbye.

Contrition

Contrition describes a deeper, more serious feeling of being sorry, often tied to moral or ethical mistakes. It's ideal when you want to show sincerity in apologizing. Contrition can make an apology feel more meaningful because it emphasizes a heartfelt acknowledgment of wrongdoing. It's often used in formal situations or when emotions are strong.

• He expressed contrition for the harsh words he used.
• Her contrition after the argument surprised everyone.
• The leader showed contrition during the press conference.

Penitence

Penitence highlights the desire to atone for mistakes or wrongdoing. This word shows active acknowledgment of guilt and often implies a willingness to make amends. It's excellent for describing remorse that motivates positive change. Using penitence can communicate that someone isn't just sorry but is taking responsibility.

• The monk lived a life of penitence.
• She approached her mistake with genuine penitence.
• His penitence was evident in every action he took afterward.

Guilt

Guilt is the emotional feeling of being responsible for a misdeed. It can range from minor annoyances to profound moral responsibility. It's a versatile word that captures internal discomfort after wrongdoing. Using guilt allows you to show personal responsibility in storytelling, conversation, or writing.

• He felt guilt for not helping his friend.
• Her guilt grew each day after the accident.
• The teacher sensed his guilt for cheating.

Remorsefulness

Remorsefulness captures intense regret and sadness for wrong actions. This word works when emotions are strong and visible. It conveys that the person feels not just regret but also emotional weight from the mistake. Using it can create empathy and understanding from others.

• His remorsefulness was clear after the incident.
• She spoke with remorsefulness about her actions.
• The apology showed true remorsefulness.

Shame

Shame represents embarrassment or discomfort for wrongdoing. Unlike simple regret, shame often involves self-consciousness in front of others. It's perfect for describing moments when a person feels exposed or socially accountable for their actions.

• He was filled with shame after the mistake.
• Her shame was obvious to everyone in the room.
• Shame kept him from admitting the truth.

Repentance

Repentance is about sincerely wishing to correct past mistakes. It's often connected to moral or religious contexts. This word conveys a strong commitment to improving behavior and making things right. Using repentance shows depth of feeling and responsibility.

• He showed repentance for his reckless behavior.
• Her repentance included active steps to apologize.
• The letter expressed true repentance.

Contriteness

Contriteness describes a humble, sincere feeling of regret. It is particularly effective when showing emotional honesty. Contriteness often suggests someone is genuinely remorseful and not just apologizing for appearances. It helps make communication feel heartfelt.

• His contriteness touched everyone in the room.
• She accepted the feedback with contriteness.
• The child showed contriteness after breaking the vase.

Self-reproach

Self-reproach is about blaming yourself for mistakes or bad decisions. It indicates internal reflection and personal accountability. It works best when explaining deep self-awareness or regret. Using self-reproach helps show thoughtful acknowledgment of responsibility.

• He felt self-reproach for not helping sooner.
• Her self-reproach was visible in her silence.
• She engaged in self-reproach after the argument.

Penitency

Penitency emphasizes feeling sorry and seeking forgiveness. It's often linked to moral reflection or the desire to make amends. Using penitency can highlight the seriousness of the regret and the intention to improve behavior.

• The offender approached the victim with penitency.
• She expressed penitency after her harsh words.
• His penitency was sincere and long-lasting.

Compunction

Compunction is the sense of unease or anxiety caused by guilt. It shows that someone's conscience is active and aware of wrongdoing. It works well for storytelling or emotional expression because it signals moral awareness.

• She felt compunction after lying.
• His compunction grew with each passing day.
• The teacher noted his compunction for cheating.

Rue

Rue focuses on wishing a past action could have been different. It's often dramatic and emphasizes strong regret. Rue works well for expressing emotional reflection about mistakes.

• He will rue missing the chance to apologize.
• She rued the day she ignored the warning.
• They all rued the failed opportunity.

Attrition

Attrition describes gradual guilt building over time. It's subtle and shows long-term awareness of mistakes. This word helps illustrate internal struggle or reflection that develops slowly.

• Over time, attrition weighed on her conscience.
• His attrition caused sleepless nights.
• The constant attrition of guilt affected his mood.

Contritely

Contritely is an adverb that emphasizes speaking or acting with true remorse. It's perfect for showing attitude or manner in apologies. Using contritely helps others see the sincerity in behavior or words.

• He spoke contritely after the misunderstanding.
• She apologized contritely for the mistake.
• The manager accepted the employee's contritely delivered apology.

Shamefacedness

Shamefacedness reflects visible embarrassment from wrongdoing. It works for describing posture, expression, or demeanor when someone feels guilty. This word conveys both emotional and physical response to regret.

• Her shamefacedness was obvious at the meeting.
• He entered the room with shamefacedness.
• The child's shamefacedness made the teacher smile gently.

Self-blame

Self-blame is directly attributing responsibility to oneself for a mistake. It can range from minor to deep reflection. Self-blame communicates accountability and introspection.

• He carried self-blame for the project's failure.
• She engaged in self-blame for the missed deadline.
• Self-blame consumed him after the argument.

Penitent

Penitent is used to describe someone feeling or showing remorse. It's formal yet descriptive, emphasizing internal acknowledgment. It often shows a willingness to correct behavior.

• The penitent student apologized sincerely.
• He appeared penitent after hurting his friend.
• She remained penitent during the hearing.

Regretfulness

Regretfulness focuses on being full of regret. It captures the ongoing emotional state after a mistake. It's useful for highlighting consistent emotional response.

• His regretfulness was visible to all.
• She spoke with regretfulness about the event.
• Regretfulness lingered after the accident.

Compunctious

Compunctious highlights a strong sense of guilt. It's particularly helpful when emphasizing moral or emotional discomfort. Using it conveys depth of conscience.

• She was compunctious after her harsh comment.
• His compunctious feelings prevented him from sleeping.
• The apology revealed her compunctious nature.

Contritionary

Contritionary refers to attitudes or actions reflecting true remorse. It's descriptive and emphasizes the sincerity behind actions. This word helps show ongoing effort to be responsible.

• His contritionary words were convincing.
• She adopted a contritionary approach after the incident.
• The contritionary tone in his speech was noticeable.

Remorseful

Remorseful describes someone feeling intense regret. It's straightforward and widely understood. Using it emphasizes the emotional weight of wrongdoing.

• She was remorseful for missing the deadline.
• His remorseful expression showed sincerity.
• The patient felt remorseful after the accident.

Ashamed

Ashamed is the feeling of guilt combined with embarrassment. It's common in daily situations and emphasizes social perception of actions. Using ashamed can connect internal feelings with external behavior.

• He was ashamed after cheating on the exam.
• She felt ashamed for forgetting the appointment.
• The team was ashamed of the loss.

Penitential

Penitential emphasizes actions or behavior showing regret. It often conveys moral or ethical reflection. Using it highlights both feeling and conduct.

• Her penitential acts included apology letters.
• He behaved penitentially after breaking the rule.
• The ceremony reflected penitential traditions.

Regretive

Regretive shows a tendency to feel regret. It describes mindset or emotional tendency over time. Using it can reflect character or habitual behavior.

• He became regretive after making the wrong choice.
• She was naturally regretive about her actions.
• The regretive tone in his letters was evident.

Apologetic

Apologetic indicates feeling sorry and showing it openly. It's practical in many contexts, showing acknowledgment of mistakes and willingness to reconcile. Using apologetic makes interactions smoother and more sincere.

• She was apologetic for the mix-up.
• He sent an apologetic message after the error.
• The child appeared apologetic for spilling the milk.

Contritelyness

Contritelyness describes the quality of being truly remorseful. It emphasizes sincerity and emotional authenticity. Using it conveys deeper reflection on actions.

• His contritelyness impressed everyone.
• She acted with contritelyness after the incident.
• The speech reflected his contritelyness.

Self-condemnation

Self-condemnation is harsh self-judgment for mistakes. It highlights strong internal critique and accountability. Using it emphasizes depth of guilt and personal responsibility.

• She felt self-condemnation after lying.
• His self-condemnation grew over time.
• Self-condemnation prevented him from enjoying success.

Final Thoughts

Exploring these words shows how many ways we can express regret and accountability. Each synonym offers unique nuance for different situations. Using them thoughtfully helps convey emotions more accurately and meaningfully. Whether it's guilt, penitence, or remorse, the right word adds depth to communication.