remorseful
gb/ɹɪmˈɔɹsfəl/ us/ɹɪmˈɔɹsfəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
feeling guilty about wrongdoing
feeling very sorry because you did something wrong
Usage pattern:
[someone] is remorseful about/for [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners may use remorseful for general disappointment; it is mainly used for guilt about a moral wrong, not just a bad result.
Synonyms
regretful (can be used for mistakes or missed chances, not always moral wrongdoing)
|
repentant (often suggests a decision to change behavior)
|
contrite (more formal; emphasizes humble apology)
|
guilty (focuses on feeling responsible, not necessarily deep regret)
Antonyms
unremorseful (not feeling any regret or guilt about wrongdoing)
|
unapologetic (not sorry and not willing to say sorry)
Collocations
feel remorseful
|be remorseful
|deeply remorseful
|genuinely remorseful
|truly remorseful
|remorseful about what happened
|remorseful about doing something
|remorseful for what you did
|remorseful for hurting someone
|become remorseful
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|relationships
Examples
- She was remorseful after lying to her friend.
- He sounded remorseful when he admitted what he had done.
- They felt genuinely remorseful for the harm they caused.
Learner examples
- I am remorseful about my mistake.
- He was remorseful for hurting her feelings.
adjective
C1
property
2
showing guilt and regret
showing that you feel very sorry for doing something wrong
Usage pattern:
a remorseful [look/voice/apology]
Synonyms
apologetic (shows you are saying sorry; may be less intense than remorseful)
|
penitent (more formal; often connected to asking forgiveness)
|
contrite (formal; emphasizes sincere sorrow and humility)
Antonyms
defiant (showing refusal to admit wrongdoing or accept blame)
|
cold (showing little or no sympathy or regret)
Collocations
a remorseful apology
|a remorseful look
|a remorseful expression
|a remorseful tone
|a remorseful voice
|a remorseful letter
|a remorseful statement
|remorseful eyes
|remorseful words
|seem remorseful
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- He gave her a remorseful look and asked for another chance.
- Her remorseful apology came too late to repair the damage.
- The caller’s remorseful tone suggested he understood the seriousness of his actions.
Learner examples
- She wrote a remorseful email.
- He had a remorseful look.
Grammar
Dictionary form
remorseful
IPA
GB/ɹɪmˈɔɹsfəl/
US/ɹɪmˈɔɹsfəl/
Syllables & stress
re - morse - ful (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (morse)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: remorseful
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.