regretfully

re·gret·ful·ly

adverb \ri-ˈgret-fə-lē\

Definition of REGRETFULLY

1

: with regret

2

: it is to be regretted

Examples of REGRETFULLY

1. “I must leave now,” he said regretfully.
2. I must regretfully decline your invitation.

First Known Use of REGRETFULLY

1682

Related to REGRETFULLY

Synonyms

agonizingly, bitterly, dolefully, dolorously, grievously, hardly, inconsolably, lugubriously, mournfully, painfully, plaintively, hard, resentfully, ruefully, sadly, sorely, sorrowfully, unhappily, wailfully, woefully, wretchedly

Antonyms

blissfully, gladly, happily, joyfully, joyously

Related Words

abjectly, cheerlessly, crestfallenly, dejectedly, despairingly, despondently, disconsolately, dispiritedly, downheartedly, low-spiritedly; blackly, darkly, dismally, distressfully, distressingly, dourly, drearily, forlornly, gloomily, glumly, joylessly, mirthlessly, miserably, morosely, pessimistically, somberly, sullenly; acutely, harshly, keenly, piercingly, poignantly, severely, sharply; cruelly, hurtfully, ill, rancorously

Near Antonyms

cheerfully, cheerily, delightedly, gaily (also gayly), gleefully, good-naturedly, lightheartedly, merrily, mirthfully, rejoicingly, sunnily; blithely, blithesomely, calmly, casually, dispassionately, easily, impassively, indifferently, lightly, nonchalantly, stoically, unconcernedly; favorably, well