regret

American  

[ri-gret] / rɪˈgrɛt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of regret

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 )

Example Sentences

Jay Kelly is plagued with regret, but I sense that you’re not one to ruminate over the past.

From Los Angeles Times

The billionaire has previously said he regretted his association with Epstein, wasn’t aware of his crimes and that Epstein misappropriated funds from him.

From The Wall Street Journal

Block Communications said in its press release, “We deeply regret the impact this decision will have on Pittsburgh and the surrounding region.”

From The Wall Street Journal

For instance, if someone loses their job, they might feel less regret about giving up their house and mortgage if their rate is relatively high, Simonsen said.

From MarketWatch

The UAE expressed "deep regret" at the Saudi accusations and denied there were any weapons, but agreed to pull its remaining forces out of the country.

From BBC

Related Words

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