“He felt remorse for taking the wrong job.”
Usage Entry 1349 / 1350 60-second read
Regret vs. Remorse
Sadness about an outcome or choice versus moral guilt about harm caused.
The comparisoni
“He felt regret for taking the wrong job — regret is for choices. Remorse is moral guilt for having harmed someone.”
The ruleii
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REGRET = wish otherwise. REMORSE = moral guilt.
REGRET is sadness about an outcome — wishing you had done something differently. Can apply to any choice. REMORSE is specifically moral guilt — feeling bad because you hurt someone. All remorse is regret; not all regret is remorse. You regret dropping out of school; you feel remorse for betraying a friend.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Regret = wish. Remorse = guilty.