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

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

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

“The City regrets this oversight, accepts full accountability for the error, and remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the consistent enforcement of city policies and procedures,” the statement said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I did make bad choices and I regret the choices I made," she says, "but in all honesty I feel like I'm grateful that I got arrested when I did."

Read more on BBC

Williams’s carefully chosen words—especially “near term”—suggested cutting is the path of least regret.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The archbishop said at the time that he regretted his handling of the case.

Read more on BBC

Shah started his evidence to the committee by apologising to all those who believe in the BBC, licence fee payers, and to BBC staff, saying: "I regret the mistakes that have been made."

Read more on BBC

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