remorseful
Feeling guilty afterward
Remorseful describes someone feeling deep regret or guilt over a wrong they've committed.
The word implies more than simple regret—it suggests genuine anguish and self-reproach: He seemed truly remorseful about the harm he'd caused.
A remorseful apology carries emotional weight that a merely apologetic one may not.
Responsible for wrongdoing
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- shamefacedShowing visible embarrassment
- culpableDeserving of blame
- blameworthyDeserving of censure
conscience-stricken · guilt-ridden · burdened · troubled · tormented · haunted · anguished · self-reproach
One showing remorse
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
- atoningMaking up for wrongs
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
atonement · amends · reparation · expiation · absolution · redemption · forgiveness · reconciliation
Filled with grief
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
- mournfulShowing or feeling grief
- grievingFeeling sorrow after loss
- lamentingExpressing passionate grief
heavy-hearted · heartbroken · aching · pained · wounded · hurt · suffering · doleful
Examining one's own mind
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- ruminatingThinking deeply, repeatedly
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
self-aware · thoughtful · pondering · reflecting · meditative · reconsidering · reassessing · dwelling
guilty
Responsible for wrongdoing
- ashamedFeeling guilt and disgrace
- shamefacedShowing visible embarrassment
- culpableDeserving of blame
blameworthy · conscience-stricken · guilt-ridden · burdened · troubled · tormented · haunted · anguished · self-reproach · self-condemnation
penitent
One showing remorse
penance · atonement · amends · reparation · expiation · absolution · redemption · forgiveness · reconciliation · confession
sorrowful
Filled with grief
- ruefulExpressing sorrowful repentance
- mournfulShowing or feeling grief
- grievingFeeling sorrow after loss
lamenting · heavy-hearted · heartbroken · aching · pained · wounded · hurt · suffering · doleful · woeful
introspective
Examining one's own mind
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- ruminatingThinking deeply, repeatedly
soul-searching · self-aware · thoughtful · pondering · reflecting · meditative · reconsidering · reassessing · dwelling · mulling
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology
- guiltguilty, guilt trip, guilty conscience, contrition, culpability
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- at faultguilty, at fault, to blame, culpable, blameworthy
remorsefulunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
remorseless · impenitent · unapologetic · unremorseful · uncontrite