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

Look hard and you regret even more that Monet never returned to La Serenissima.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She says having surgery in Turkey was "life-changing" and she does not regret it.

Read more on BBC

In a statement, Mr Breckels said: "I unreservedly apologise for my comment and deeply regret making it."

Read more on BBC

Fausone says he regrets going to graduate school and taking out student loans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Kerkerking bent over in immediate regret, as the Dodgers came pouring out of the dugout to mob Pages near first base.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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