remord

Remord is a noun used in German-language contexts to denote a deep, often painful sense of remorse about past actions. The term is closely related to, but generally regarded as stronger or more formal than, the everyday Reue (remorse) and Schuldgefühle (guilt). In literary and philosophical writing, remord can convey moral anguish, existential questioning, or an inability to reconcile one's actions with personal or societal standards.

In usage, remord tends to appear in more formal, religious, or clinical discussions, as well as in historical texts. It can be contrasted with milder feelings of regret; remord implies persistent rumination, moral conflict, and a sense of unrectifiable wrongdoing. Because it is somewhat archaic or formal in contemporary everyday speech, many speakers opt for Reue or Schuld, depending on nuance.

Etymology and cross-language usage: The term exists in German-language lexicons and shares its underlying concept with the English "remorse" and the broader notion of remorse found in Romance-language contexts. In non-German contexts, "remord" is rarely used; English texts typically use "remorse" instead.

See also: Remorse, Reue, Schuld, Guilt.