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

“I do regret it,” Amare said of dropping out of school.

From Los Angeles Times

But then she reminds me of the ’80s ballad “The Living Years,” and soon we’re diving into its message about regret and unresolved conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the album is L.A. party rap run through a buzzsaw of regret and dread and cackling humor and utterly fresh musicality.

From Los Angeles Times

Carsley may have that one big regret – but there has been much he can reflect on with genuine pleasure and pride.

From BBC

When Louis picks the offer of vampirism to pull himself out of his funk, he immediately regrets it.

From Salon

Related Words

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