French word

remords

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁəmɔʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounremorse

Example

Elle garde des remords depuis des années.

She has felt remorse for years.

Illustration for remords (remorse)

More examples

Après l'aveu, elle se sent libérée de ses remords.

After the confession, she feels freed from her remorse.

Core concept

A past deed that leaves a moral ache, with an inner urge to make amends.

Common phrases

  • avoir des remords

    have regrets

  • ressentir des remords

    feel remorse

  • se débarrasser de ses remords

    get rid of one's remorse

Similar words

regret: Sadness about something that happened or was done.
culpabilité: A sense of guilt or responsibility for having done wrong.
honte: A feeling of shame about one's actions or condition.

Definition in French

Ressentiment de culpabilité ou de regret moral provoqué par une action passée, parfois accompagné du désir de réparation.

Word origin

The noun remords developed through Old French from Latin remordere, 'to bite again', linking repeated inner pain with guilt over an action.

Usage tips

  • Remords is stronger than regret because it usually concerns responsibility for a morally wrong act rather than simple disappointment.

Other meanings

  • compunctionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word