regrettably

American  

[ri-gret-uh-blee] / rɪˈgrɛt ə bli /

adverb

1. 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.

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• unregrettably adverb

Etymology

Origin of regrettably

regrettab(le) ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Even the celebratory ending—as the students resolve to “change the story”—seemed credible in context, though regrettably a more daunting task in the real world.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another regrettably late discovery, because when we said goodbye, I was certain this was the end of our acquaintance.

From Literature

“All investments need a clear, simple, stable and predictable framework and regrettably this is not the regulatory reform that is so far introduced in this legislation.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"The Education Authority has therefore regrettably been required to identify a series of significant savings measures."

From BBC

And the lone reinforcement the front office acquired at what now feels like a regrettably quiet trade deadline, Brock Stewart, is uncertain to return from a bothersome shoulder problem.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acutely
• badly
• grievously
• intensely
• severely
• sorely
• very