regrettable

or re·gret·a·ble

[ ri-gret-uh-buhl ]

/ rɪˈgrɛt ə bəl /

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See synonyms for regrettable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

causing or deserving regret; unfortunate; deplorable.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of regrettable

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Middle French regret(t)able; see regret, -able

OTHER WORDS FROM regrettable

re·gret·ta·ble·ness, nounre·gret·ta·bly, adverbun·re·gret·ta·ble, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH regrettable

1. regretful, regrettable 2. regretfully, regrettably

Words nearby regrettable

regressive, regressive assimilation, regressive tax, regret, regretful, regrettable, regrettably, regroup, regrow, regrowth, regt.

How to use regrettable in a sentence

I spent a regrettable percentage of my early 20s reading critically acclaimed novels by men that portrayed women as whiteboards for a man’s desire, scribbled over and barely distinguishable.
In ‘Real Estate,’ Deborah Levy contemplates the structures that define us|Michele Filgate|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
Her acceptance of responsibility and apology will be an important example to us all that we can successfully overcome our regrettable decisions, despite the costly consequences of this one to her.
Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson suspended one month after marijuana test, putting Olympics in doubt|Adam Kilgore, Rick Maese|July 2, 2021|Washington Post
Bush took responsibility for what he described as “regrettable incidents” that happened 14 years ago during a “particularly difficult personal time” in his life.
Former Athenahealth CEO Jonathan Bush returns to entrepreneurship with new startup|Natasha Mascarenhas|June 17, 2021|TechCrunch
A regrettable moment can become an opportunity to model positive conflict-resolution behaviors while also maintaining closeness.
Yelled at your kids? Here’s why you should let go of that shame.|Emily Edlynn|May 13, 2021|Washington Post

The military’s role in the space program is inevitable, even if Russell sees it as regrettable.
Why We Should Be Spending More on Space Travel|Jeffrey Kluger|April 12, 2021|Time
“I think the timing is incredibly regrettable,” New Zealand political commentator David Farrar tells The Daily Beast.
Greenwald, Assange, and Snowden Join Forces with Kim Dotcom in New Zealand Election|Lennox Samuels|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This regrettable action will, of course, ignite a racial gang war, leaving a heap of bodies in its wake.
Inside 'Sons of Anarchy's' Final Season: Creator Kurt Sutter on the Most Brutal Season Yet|Annaliza Savage|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was regrettable that he left the country while being observed.
How Bureaucrats Let Ebola Spread to Nigeria|Michael Daly|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When they disagree, they tend to think there has been a regrettable, maybe terrible, mistake.
God Save the United States From This Anti-Democratic Court|Jedediah Purdy|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When Oates veers back into the war story, it is regrettable that certain factual inaccuracies become distractions.
Can Joyce Carol Oates Write a War Novel?|Elliot Ackerman|January 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Henry Hudson landed here, and many another Dutchman has been 'landed' and made regrettable discoveries right on this same spot.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
It is regrettable that God did not possess the magnanimity of an Ingersoll and make health contagious instead of disease.
Tyranny of God|Joseph Lewis
We leave the reader to make his own comments on these too regrettable facts.
My Recollections of Lord Byron|Teresa Guiccioli
Because of these two regrettable occurrences a great honor and pleasure has fallen upon me.
Proceedings of the Second National Conservation Congress|Various
It was touching experience at a fresh point, and was far from being altogether regrettable.
The Open Question|Elizabeth Robins