remorseful
/ri'mɔ:sful/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Feeling or expressing deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed: The primary meaning describes a state of emotional pain, sorrow, or contrition over one's own past actions, sins, or offenses. It implies a moral conscience and a wish that one had acted differently.
Usage and Examples
- Adjective:
- The judge noted the defendant's remorseful statement before sentencing.
- She felt deeply remorseful for the harsh words she had spoken in anger.
- A truly remorseful person seeks to make amends for their mistakes.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
"Remorseful" vs. "Regretful": While both involve regret, "remorseful" is stronger and specifically tied to moral guilt over a wrongful act. "Regretful" can be used for simpler disappointment or sadness about any situation.
- He was remorseful for having betrayed his friend's trust. (Moral guilt)
- She was regretful that the picnic was canceled due to rain. (Disappointment)
Formal and Literary Contexts: The word is often used in formal, legal, or literary contexts to describe a character's or person's profound guilt and repentance.
Variants and Related Words
- Remorse (n): The noun form meaning deep regret or guilt.
- He was filled with remorse after the accident.
- Remorsefully (adv): In a manner showing remorse.
- She apologized remorsefully for her error.
- Remorseless (adj): The opposite, meaning without pity or compassion.
- The remorseless criminal showed no sign of guilt.
Synonyms
- Contrite: Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.
- Penitent: Feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant.
- Repentant: Expressing or feeling sincere regret and remorse.
Antonyms
- Unrepentant: Not feeling or expressing regret for one's wrongdoings.
- Remorseless: Without remorse or pity.
- Defiant: Showing bold disobedience or lack of regret.
Adjective
- feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses