regret

¹re·gret

verb \ri-ˈgret\

re·gret·tedre·gret·ting

Definition of REGRET

transitive verb

1

a : to mourn the loss or death of

b : to miss very much

2

: to be very sorry for <regrets his mistakes>

intransitive verb

: to experience regret

— re·gret·ter noun

Examples of REGRET

1. Don't say anything you might regret later.
2. I deeply regret what I said.
3. She does not regret leaving him.
4. He regrets not traveling more when he was younger.
5. He says he doesn't regret anything that he's done in his life.

Origin of REGRET

Middle English regretten, from Anglo-French regreter, from re- + -greter (perhaps of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse grāta to weep) — more at greet

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to REGRET

Synonyms

bemoan, deplore, lament, repent, rue

Related Words

ache (for), bewail, grieve (for), mourn, sorrow (for)

Near Antonyms

delight (in), enjoy, relish, revel (in), savor (also savour)

Rhymes with REGRET

abet, aigrette, all wet, backset, baguette, banquette, barbette, barquette, barrette, beget, beset, blanquette, boneset, brevet, briquette, brochette, brunet, burette, burnet, cadet, cassette, cermet, Colette, coquet, coquette, cornet, corselet, corvette, coset, courgette, croquette, curette, curvet, cuvette, dinette, dip net, diskette, dragnet, duet, egret, fan-jet, fishnet, fly net, forget, gazette, georgette, Gillette, gillnet, gill net, godet, grisette, handset, hard-set, headset, ink-jet, inlet, inset, jet set, Juliet, kismet, layette, life net, lorgnette, lunette, maquette, Marquette, mind-set, mist net, moonset, moquette, motet, musette, nerve net, noisette, nonet, nymphet, octet, offset, onset, outlet, outset, paillette, pallette, palmette, pipette, piquet, planchette, pound net, poussette, preset, quartet, quickset, quintet, raclette, ramet, ramjet, reset, revet, rocket, roomette, rosette, roulette, saw set, septet, sestet, sextet, sharp-set, soubrette, spinet, stage set, stylet, sublet, subset, sunset, syrette, tea set, thickset, Tibet, toilette, tonette, trijet, twinset, typeset, Undset, unset, upset, vedette, vignette, well-set

²regret

noun

Definition of REGRET

1

: sorrow aroused by circumstances beyond one's control or power to repair

2

a : an expression of distressing emotion (as sorrow)

b plural : a note politely declining an invitation

— re·gret·ful \-ˈgret-fəl\ adjective

— re·gret·ful·ness noun

Examples of REGRET

1. She has no regrets about leaving him.
2. My greatest regret is not going to college.
3. To my regret, I never visited Europe.
4. It is with deep regret that he is announcing his resignation.
5. My coworker gives her regrets for not being able to attend the meeting.

First Known Use of REGRET

1590

Related to REGRET

Synonyms

contriteness, contrition, penitence, guilt, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, shame

Antonyms

impenitence, remorselessness

Related Words

compunction, misgiving, prick, qualm, scruple; blame, culpability, fault; liability, rap, responsibility; chagrin, embarrassment; anguish, distress, grief, ruth, sadness, sorrow; bloodguilt, bloodguiltiness; apology, excuses, hand-wringing, mea culpa

See Synonym Discussion at sorrow