What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ashamed
Example
She felt ashamed of her behavior at the party last night. [ashamed: adjective]
Example
He looked down, feeling ashamed of what he had said. [ashamed: past participle]
remorseful
Example
She was remorseful for the hurtful words she had said. [remorseful: adjective]
Example
He apologized sincerely, showing that he was truly remorseful. [remorseful: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ashamed is more commonly used than remorseful in everyday language. Ashamed is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while remorseful is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations where a deeper level of regret is expressed.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ashamed and remorseful?
Both ashamed and remorseful can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, remorseful may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its stronger connotation of deep regret and sorrow.