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

Vasquez retired last August and the city is in the midst of finding a new, permanent police chief – a process Weber said she is regretful she will no longer be a part of.

From Voice of San Diego

It’s really easy to let go and get caught up in the moment, which could prompt you to post something regretful when you know it’s going to disappear in 24 hours.

From Search Engine Watch

They were “regretful and embarrassed,” they said, that they didn’t previously take into account the Antebellum South’s associations with the pre-Civil War slavery era.

From Washington Post

I feel lucky but also regretful that my anticipated long day in the woods is over, with plenty of processing work ahead.

From Popular-Science

It can rate your typing with qualifiers such as “accusatory,” “formal,” “encouraging,” or “regretful.”

From Popular-Science

Neither did I feel either regretful about asking them to do something or grateful to them in advance for doing it.

From The Daily Beast

Is he truly regretful, or is that just the funniest thing to say about all that?

From The Daily Beast

The farmer watched her as she came up, and a deep regretful sigh burst from his lips.

From Project Gutenberg

If my request is tiresome, do not hesitate to refuse; I shall be regretful, but not offended.

From Project Gutenberg

Am feeling very sad, rather regretful—think what a nice man my lawyer is.

From Project Gutenberg

For a year he exchanges regretful sighs with this other, and the money goes, and the hate increases, and she writes to him.

From Project Gutenberg

When she reached her home again a flood of regretful sorrow overwhelmed her heart, and she wept bitterly.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apologetic
• ashamed
• contrite
• remorseful
• sorrowful