regretfully

American  

[ri-gret-fuh-lee] / rɪˈgrɛt fə li /

adverb

1. in a regretful way.

2. unfortunately.

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Explanation

Use the adverb regretfully to mean "with regret" — the sorrow you feel about something that has already happened. For example, little kids would regretfully turn over the candy bars they stole from the grocery store. If you're sorry about something you've done or said, you might speak regretfully about it. Your feeling of regret or remorse is reflected in your actions, like when you regretfully recall something you said to a friend who was very hurt by your words. Don't confuse regretfully with unfortunately, which doesn't carry the same weight of personal responsibility — unfortunately, it's raining and you regretfully forgot your umbrella.

Example Sentences

We share the same label, and, regretfully, I have more of an understanding of what they did than any other true crime storyteller does.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2025

The legendary saga of “meat chair,” a wildly expensive single item of patio furniture that was, for a time, regretfully on display in the deli area, hence the name.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

And when in Venice, he warned readers regretfully, “Stay away from gondolas; they cost as much as $3 an hour!”

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2024

Gary regretfully informed this confused woman that she would have to exit.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

Hazel regretfully swept up the Ming vase, which regrettably had smashed to smithereens. reluctant/reticent.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner