regretful
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- regretfully adverb
- regretfulness noun
- unregretful adjective
- unregretfully adverb
- unregretfulness noun
Etymology
Origin of regretful
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.
It’s an idiosyncratic decision, no doubt also affected by the galleries’ footprint, but a regretful one.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026
"I am truly sorry and regretful that I could not live up to your expectations," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025
While these could be the regretful words of any American voter in the aftermath of November’s election, they originate from a more bewildering source, if you can believe it.
From Salon • Mar. 13, 2025
Whereas Marian remains a soldier who won’t admit the war is over, Dolours, who would marry actor Stephen Rea, becomes more thoughtful and regretful with time, and suffers for it.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2024
He looks regretful almost immediately; he's already doubting the help he’s given me.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
