regretfully
AmericanExplanation
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.
Vocabulary lists containing regretfully
Commonly Confused Words, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Commonly Confused Words, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Commonly Confused Words, List 8
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
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
“Pope Francis regretfully accepted the doctors’ request, and the trip has been canceled,” said Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman.
From New York Times ● Nov. 28, 2023
“With broken hearts, we regretfully announce that the active search for Conrad has concluded.”
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 26, 2023
“Everyone had the same idea as we did,” said Lina regretfully.
From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
