regret

[ri-gret]

verb (used with object)

regretted, regretting 

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

Other Word Forms

• regretful adjective
• regretfulness noun
• regretter noun
• regrettable adjective
• regrettably adverb
• regretfully adverb
• regrettingly adverb
• unregretted adjective
• unregretting 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

An inquiry following Neil Foden's conviction was to be published on Wednesday but officials said they regretted the delay but needed to consider "legal obligations and information sharing further".

From BBC

Just before a rainstorm threatened the rest of the collection, he brought thousands of shoe lasts to his studio but even now regrets that he was unable to save it all.

From Los Angeles Times

"I wouldn't normally conduct myself in such a fashion. I regret that lapse last week and I wish to apologise to all colleagues."

From BBC

"While these discussions remain ongoing, it is with regret that the administrators confirm that a sale of the stores is now unlikely."

From BBC

I revisited decades of regrets, replaying what I should have said or done differently, wishing I had shown more kindness in tough moments.

From Salon

Related Words

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