Advertisement
Advertisement
regrettably
[ ri-gret-uh-blee ]
adverb
- unfortunately:
Regrettably, those countries that have contributed the least to the problem are facing the gravest consequences.
The student’s regrettably short attention span resulted in a series of near failures.
Discover More
Other Words From
- un·re·gret·ta·bly adverb
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of regrettably1
Discover More
Example Sentences
Reading this smart double biography makes clear why that delay in the first instance, and omission in the second, is regrettable.
There are clearly scarier things going on these days then just Halloween, but that’s not going to stop anyone from making regrettable costuming decisions this weekend.
In response to the controversy, the NBA said in a statement that it was “regrettable” that Morey’s tweet offended fans in mainland China, but it also said it values the right of employees to weigh in on “matters important to them.”
The NBA initially issued a statement saying that the league recognized that Morey’s tweet had “deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable.”
Regrettably, not many of them have been adequately translated.
The last few years have regrettably made the phrase “Republican pollster” less a job title than a punch line.
The crimes of the Deep South echo beyond the quaint courtrooms; the closing summations, regrettably, do not end in closure.
Mace, perhaps regrettably, told me the first call she received about getting into the race came from Washington.
There is still, regrettably, a great deal of prejudice in the world, racial as well as sexual.
You need merely follow world events and make sure that any—ah—regrettably final decisions are not made.
It is fragmentary—regrettably so, especially as stanzas 10-12 belong to Thomas Rymer.
She had heard that speech becomes regrettably loose in the heat of this sport.
Yet, on the other hand, if he had known her, his objections would have seemed regrettably personal.
There I found Toté undeniably long-legged and regrettably shy.
Advertisement
Discover More
More About Regrettably
What does regrettably mean?
Regrettably means in a manner of regret or disappointment, as in Regrettably, I won’t be able to go to your birthday celebration.
Regrettably is most often used at the beginning of a sentence to describe how the speaker or writer feels about what follows in the rest of the sentence.
Example: I have regrettably made a choice that has ruined my evening plans.
Where does regrettably come from?
The first records of the term regrettably come from around 1853. It combines the term regrettable, meaning “causing or deserving regret,” with –ly, which makes adverbs from adjectives. Regrettable comes from the term regret, which means “remorse and sorrow in response to an event.”
Regrettably is most often used as a sentence adverb. A sentence adverb describes the entire sentence or conditions of the sentence, such as how the speaker feels about what they’re saying. When you use regrettably to modify your sentence, you’re often saying that you regret having to say what’s in your sentence.
Regrettably is often used to soften the announcement of bad news to someone or to make oneself look better when apologizing about a negative action. For example, when your parents decide they need to punish you for not cleaning your room, they might say, Regrettably, you’re grounded for a month. They are sad or disappointed about having to ground you, but they need to do it anyway.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to regrettably?
- unregrettably (adverb)
What are some synonyms for regrettably?
What are some words that share a root or word element with regrettably?
What are some words that often get used in discussing regrettably?
How is regrettably used in real life?
Regrettably is often used in formal writing or speeches about bad news.
In tomorrow’s video you will meet another person who is, regrettably for them, related to me 🤠
— Cristine with no ‘H’ 💿 (@nailogical) November 17, 2018
My 6 year old is having minor surgery this morning. Regrettably, I will have to break my diet in order for us to both enjoy an ice cream sundae today.
— chaps (@UncleChaps) April 3, 2019
Today's 2.30pm meeting with presidential candidates has regrettably been rescheduled. We will update.
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) October 19, 2017
Try using regrettably!
True or False?
You would use regrettably when you’re happy about the news you have to share.
Word of the Day
[pet-ri-kawr]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse