Learn English – Are guilt and remorse basically the same thing

meaningsynonyms

The wordnet dictionary defines remorse as:

n 1: a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

And it defines gulit as:

n 1: the state of having committed an offense

2: remorse caused by feeling responsible for some offense

Yet, the wordnet dictionary nowhere defines one as a synonym of another. Do these both words basically mean the same thing?

Best Answer

'Remorse' is self-reproach, 'compunction', a realisation that one was indeed guilty- when one's inner conscience pricks one. So, one is in remorse when the consciences scolds one,"Hey, you erred,you harmed, you are guilty." Guilt leads to remorse. They are not same at all.