Synonyms

regrettably

American

[ri-gret-uh-blee] / rɪˈgrɛt ə bli /

adverb

unfortunately.

Regrettably, those countries that have contributed the least to the problem are facing the gravest consequences.
The student’s regrettably short attention span resulted in a series of near failures.

Usage

What does regrettably mean? Regrettably means in a manner of regret or disappointment, as in Regrettably, I won’t be able to go to your birthday celebration. Regrettably is most often used at the beginning of a sentence to describe how the speaker or writer feels about what follows in the rest of the sentence. Example: I have regrettably made a choice that has ruined my evening plans.

Other Word Forms

unregrettably adverb

Etymology

Origin of regrettably

regrettab(le) ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In response, Lamola said: "We reiterate that broad-based black economic empowerment is not reverse racism as regrettably insinuated by the ambassador."

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

“All investments need a clear, simple, stable and predictable framework and regrettably this is not the regulatory reform that is so far introduced in this legislation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

"We have to focus on the savings because regrettably the finances of this country are in terrible, terrible trouble," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2025

But I heard him be critical about Israel in a way that I didn’t understand, and regrettably didn’t pursue.

From Slate • Aug. 7, 2025

So you eat more and eat more quickly, bite after bite, until you feel not satisfied, exactly, but simply, regrettably, full.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023