REMORSEFUL Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

remorseful

adjective

ri-ˈmȯrs-fəl

Definition of remorseful

as in ashamed

feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done was remorseful about all the trouble that he had caused in the family

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of remorseful Outside the courtroom, attorney Eric Clayman told reporters that Watson is remorseful and didn’t want to hurt Ibrahim. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 Lil Wayne is feeling remorseful after leaving fans in Maine high and dry. — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Mazzei asked whether Heuermann was truly remorseful. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 The people hoping Henry Ruggs III could be paroled on Thursday were adamant he's improved as a person, is remorseful about the accident that killed a woman in a 2021 car crash, and is ready to re-enter society. — Armando Salguero, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for remorseful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for remorseful

Adjective

For a long time, Williams felt ashamed about having to use buy now, pay later for basic expenses.

— Adriana Morga, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Zirin handily establishes that Zinn’s intention was to make readers feel empowered, not ashamed.

— Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of ashamed

Adjective

That’s all before setting aside the time to manage a fantasy football roster, oversee a gambling hobby, or make sure you’re fully briefed for the next all-hands—sorry, hangout—at the bar.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Skin care picks to pamper your complexion Swapping out your skin care for thicker, richer formulas in fall and winter is a prime example (sorry, had to do it) of working smarter, not harder.

— Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorry

Adjective

Without becoming defensive or overly apologetic, respectfully reinforce that your decision has already been made.

— Jasmine Johnson, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
After meeting at a society reception, Henry sets out to marry Henrietta, an endearingly clumsy, overly apologetic botanist with ambitions of discovering a new species of fern.

— Air Mail, Air Mail, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of apologetic

Adjective

Johnson wrote in a letter in the filing to the Illinois review board that Hoover is repentant and has the potential and the desire to live the rest of his life as a force for good in his community.

— Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
Perry had been reluctant to engage with recovery groups in the past, which are often structured around repentant confessions.

— Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025

Definition of repentant

Adjective

Lingerie brands across the industry entered a phase of penitent marketing.

— Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Having your biggest look also be your most penitent is a bold move, but it’s girded by Rome having put in years of work and collected plenty of horror stories to reflect on.

— Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026

Definition of penitent

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remorseful

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“Remorseful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/remorseful. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of remorseful

adjective

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