regret

[ ri-gret ]

verb (used with object)

, re·gret·ted, re·gret·ting.

1. to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.):

   He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.

   Synonyms: grieve, sorrow, mourn, bemoan, bewail, lament, deplore

   Antonyms: rejoice

2. to think of with a sense of loss:

   to regret one's vanished youth.

noun

1. a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc.
2. a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc.

   Antonyms: joy

3. regrets, a polite, usually formal refusal of an invitation:

   I sent her my regrets.

4. a note expressing regret at one's inability to accept an invitation:

   I have had four acceptances and one regret.

regret

/ rɪˈɡrɛt /

verb

1. may take a clause as object or an infinitive to feel sorry, repentant, or upset about
2. to bemoan or grieve the death or loss of

noun

1. a sense of repentance, guilt, or sorrow, as over some wrong done or an unfulfilled ambition
2. a sense of loss or grief
3. plural a polite expression of sadness, esp in a formal refusal of an invitation

Usage

Regretful and regretfully are sometimes wrongly used where regrettable and regrettably are meant: he gave a regretful smile; he smiled regretfully; this is a regrettable (not regretful ) mistake; regrettably (not regretfully ) , I shall be unable to attend

Derived Forms

• reˈgretful, adjective
• reˈgretfulness, noun
• reˈgretter, noun
• reˈgrettable, adjective
• reˈgrettably, adverb
• reˈgretfully, adverb

Other Words From

• re·gretter noun
• re·gretting·ly adverb
• unre·gretted adjective
• unre·gretting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regret¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English regrete, regretten (verb), from Middle French regreter, Old French, equivalent to re- re- + -greter, perhaps from Germanic ( greet ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of regret¹

C14: from Old French regrete , of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse grāta to weep

Synonym Study

Regret, penitence, remorse imply a sense of sorrow about events in the past, usually wrongs committed or errors made. Regret is distress of mind, sorrow for what has been done or failed to be done: to have no regrets. Penitence implies a sense of sin or misdoing, a feeling of contrition and determination not to sin again: a humble sense of penitence. Remorse implies pangs, qualms of conscience, a sense of guilt, regret, and repentance for sins committed, wrongs done, or duty not performed: a deep sense of remorse.

Example Sentences

Ultimately, much of the material in the book, including Hughes’ cinematic escape from prison and multiple grueling hunger strikes, was cut so that the Price sisters’ journey of radicalization and regret would take center stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has repeatedly expressed regret about not appointing people more loyal to him as attorney general during his first term, which was defined in part by the Justice Department’s investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign’s ties to Russia.

From Los Angeles Times

It said she had cancelled her engagements "with great regret".

From BBC

His emphasis on “historic” did not have a tone of dread, pathos, or regret.

From Salon

They are soon going to regret giving that permission and invitation, but then it will be much too late.

From Salon

Related Words

• anguish
• annoyance
• apology
• bitterness
• concern
• contrition
• disappointment
• discomfort
• dissatisfaction
• grief
• heartache
• heartbreak
• misgiving
• nostalgia
• qualm
• remorse
• repentance
• sorrow
• uneasiness
• worry