regretful

[ ri-gret-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of regret; sorrowful because of what is lost, gone, or done.

Other Words From

• re·gretful·ly adverb
• re·gretful·ness noun
• unre·gretful adjective
• unre·gretful·ly adverb
• unre·gretful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of regretful¹

First recorded in 1640–50; regret + -ful

Example Sentences

Later, when Sarah Sherman expresses sadness for not having a Jan. 6 repeat, Jost appears regretful by her side while wearing a horned headdress, a la the QAnon Shaman.

From Salon

The coroner examining the death of Frank Ospina said he had been let down by the state "in numerous ways" which were "utterly regretful".

From BBC

"He’s very sad and he’s very regretful that he hasn’t been provided with the support that he needed," he said.

From BBC

“I feel regretful because I have let down the guidance and expectations of the supervisory authorities all along,” he wrote.

From New York Times

"As to the question of whether I should feel regretful that it's been successful, I find that a very perverse charge to make".

From BBC

Related Words

• apologetic
• ashamed
• contrite
• remorseful
• sorrowful