Remission vs. Remiss — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Remission refers to a decrease or disappearance of symptoms of a disease, while remiss implies negligence or failure in duty.
Difference Between Remission and Remiss
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Remission is often used in medical contexts to describe the reduction or disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease, indicating a period where the condition is under control. While remission suggests a positive turn in health or the alleviation of a problem, remiss points to a negative attribute of a person or an action, denoting a lack of attention or diligence towards responsibilities or duties. In the case of remission, the focus is on a change in state, often towards improvement or recovery. On the other hand, being remiss is about a failure to act with the required care or attention, reflecting on one's conduct or performance.
While remission can apply to various conditions, including chronic illnesses and cancers, indicating a temporary or permanent decrease in severity, remiss is strictly related to behavior and action. Remission brings hope and a sense of relief, signifying that a disease is becoming less active or severe, whereas being remiss often results in guilt or repercussions due to the neglect of duties or carelessness.
Remission can be partial or complete, with partial remission meaning the disease is still detectable but reduced, and complete remission meaning the disease is no longer detectable. In contrast, remiss does not have degrees but is a general state of negligence or oversight, which can vary in its consequences depending on the context and severity of the oversight.
In medical treatments and recovery processes, achieving remission is often a primary goal, especially in conditions that cannot be completely cured. Being remiss, however, is avoidable and considered a fault, highlighting a person's failure to meet expectations or obligations.
Remission relates to a process or state that can be actively sought through treatment or management of a condition, often requiring medical intervention or lifestyle changes. Remiss, conversely, is a passive state, resulting from a lack of action or effort, and can often be corrected through increased diligence or commitment to responsibilities.
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Comparison Chart
Context
Medical, indicating disease status
Behavioral, indicating negligence
Connotation
Positive, indicating improvement or recovery
Negative, indicating failure or negligence
Variability
Can be partial or complete
Consistent state of neglect
Outcome
Aimed for in treatment, indicates health improvement
Results in consequences, avoidable
Active/Passive
Active (requires intervention for change)
Passive (results from a lack of action)
Compare with Definitions
Remission
Financial Forgiveness
The university granted her tuition remission.
Remiss
Showing Lack of Care
The caretaker was remiss for not noticing the leak.
Remission
Disease Management Term
Achieving remission is a common goal in chronic disease management.
Remiss
Negligent in Duty
He was remiss in his responsibilities at work.
Remission
Temporary Relief
The medication brought remission of the symptoms.
Remiss
Character Flaw
His remiss attitude towards his studies led to his poor grades.
Remission
Release from Penalty
His sentence was under remission for good behavior.
Remiss
Lax in Attention
She was remiss in overlooking the critical details of the contract.
Remission
Reduction in Severity
After six months of treatment, the patient's cancer was in remission.
Remiss
Lacking care or attention to duty; negligent
It would be very remiss of me not to pass on that information
Remission
The cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty
The scheme allows for the partial remission of tuition fees
Remiss
Lax in attending to duty; negligent.
Remission
A temporary diminution of the severity of disease or pain
Ten patients remained in remission
Remiss
At fault; failing to fulfill responsibility, duty, or obligations.
I would certainly be remiss if I did not give credit where credit was due.
Remission
The act of remitting.
Remiss
Not energetic or exact in duty or business; careless; tardy; slack; hence, lacking earnestness or activity; languid; slow.
Remission
A condition or period in which something is remitted.
Remiss
Not energetic or exact in duty or business; not careful or prompt in fulfilling engagements; negligent; careless; tardy; behindhand; lagging; slack; hence, lacking earnestness or activity; languid; slow.
Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness.
These nervous, bold; those languid and remiss.
Its motion becomes more languid and remiss.
Remission
A lessening of intensity or degree; abatement.
Remiss
The act of being remiss; inefficiency; failure.
Remission
(Medicine) Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.
Remiss
Failing in what duty requires;
Derelict (or delinquent) in his duty
Neglectful of his duties
Remiss of you not to pay your bills
Remission
The period during which the symptoms of a disease abate or subside.
Remiss
Failure to Act
Being remiss in such a situation could result in serious consequences.
Remission
Release, as from a debt, penalty, or obligation.
Remission
Forgiveness; pardon.
Remission
A pardon of a sin; the forgiveness of an offence, or relinquishment of a (legal) claim or a debt.
Remission
A lessening of amount due, as in either money or work, or intensity of a thing.
Remission
(law) A reduction or cancellation of the penalty for a criminal offence; in particular, the reduction of a prison sentence as a recognition of the prisoner's good behaviour.
Remission
(medicine) An abatement or lessening of the manifestations of a disease; a period where the symptoms of a disease are absent.
Her cancer was in remission.
Remission
An act of remitting, returning, or sending back.
Remission
(law) A referral of a case back to another (especially a lower or inferior) court of law; a remand, a remittal.
Remission
(spectroscopy) Reflection or scattering of light by a material; reemission.
Remission
(transitive) To change the mission of; to provide with a new mission.
Remission
The act of remitting, surrendering, resigning, or giving up.
Remission
Discharge from that which is due; relinquishment of a claim, right, or obligation; pardon of transgression; release from forfeiture, penalty, debt, etc.
This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
That ples, therefore, . . . Will gain thee no remission.
Remission
Diminution of intensity; abatement; relaxation.
Remission
A temporary and incomplete subsidence of the force or violence of a disease or of pain, as destinguished from intermission, in which the disease completely leaves the patient for a time; abatement.
Remission
The act of sending back.
Remission
Act of sending in payment, as money; remittance.
Remission
An abatement in intensity or degree (as in the manifestations of a disease);
His cancer is in remission
Remission
A payment of money sent to a person in another place
Remission
(law) the act of remitting (especially the referral of a law case to another court)
Remission
The act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
Common Curiosities
Is remission a cure?
Remission is not a cure but indicates that the disease is under control or symptoms have lessened.
Can remission be permanent?
Remission can be temporary or permanent, depending on the disease and effectiveness of treatment.
How can someone avoid being remiss?
By being diligent, attentive, and fulfilling one’s responsibilities and duties.
What does remission mean in a medical context?
In a medical context, remission refers to the reduction or disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a disease.
What does it mean to be remiss?
To be remiss is to be negligent or fail in one's duties or obligations.
What role do healthcare providers play in achieving remission?
They provide treatments, monitor progress, and adjust strategies to manage the disease.
Is achieving remission the goal for all diseases?
For chronic or incurable diseases, yes; for curable diseases, the goal is eradication.
Can remission occur without treatment?
Some diseases may go into remission without treatment, but medical intervention increases the chances.
Can remission apply to non-medical contexts?
Yes, it can also apply to the reduction or forgiveness of debts or penalties.
What are the consequences of being remiss?
Consequences can include failure to meet objectives, damage to reputation, or negative outcomes for dependents.
What's the difference between partial and complete remission?
Partial remission means the disease is reduced but detectable; complete remission means it’s undetectable.
Why is diligence important to avoid being remiss?
Diligence ensures responsibilities are met and reduces the likelihood of negative consequences.
Can a person be remiss in personal relationships?
Yes, by neglecting emotional, physical, or support needs of partners or family members.
How can remission be maintained?
Through ongoing treatment, lifestyle changes, and regular medical check-ups.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
