regret

verb re·gret \ ri-ˈgret \

|Updated on: 20 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: regret in a Sentence

Definition of regret

regretted; regretting

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

—

regretter

noun

See regret defined for English-language learners

See regret defined for kids

Examples of regret in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of regret from the Web

The Warriors are one of the few teams that don’t regret their decisions from that summer.

— ben cohen, WSJ, "The Golden State Warriors Have Broken the NBA," 3 July 2018
But will Messi forever regret not winning a World Cup?

— grant wahl, SI.com, "France, Uruguay Deservedly Oust Messi's Argentina, Ronaldo's Portugal From World Cup," 30 June 2018
Morocco, meanwhile, will be sorely disappointed to have not capitalized on their dominance and will regret their profligacy in front of goal.

— matias grez, CNN, "'I'm already missing a heartbeat': Iranian women get to watch their team at World Cup," 15 June 2018
The parties regret naming independent-minded judges in 2009.

— The Economist, "The threat to Central America’s prosecutors," 10 May 2018
The behavioral design guru does not regret writing the book.

— william wan, Washington Post, "Rebel developers are trying to cure our smartphone addiction — with an app," 17 June 2018
Despite enduring a tough debut season in Europe since arriving from Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A side Santos, Maia does not regret his decision to move to France.

— SI.com, "Newcastle United Have Bid for Brazilian Star Rejected According to French Reports," 6 June 2018
Upon seeing Mendes on the rink, Corden instantly regretted his decision to take him on.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Shawn Mendes Reveals His Extreme Harry Potter Obsession During Carpool Karaoke Ride — Watch," 5 June 2018
And Comey is just one of the players in the political game who must now regret their lack of imagination.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Comey Confirms That Hillary Clinton’s Inevitability Was Her Undoing," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regret.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

regret Synonyms

Synonyms

bemoan, deplore, lament, repent, rue;

Near Antonyms

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

regret

noun

Definition of regret

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

2 a : an expression of distressing emotion (such as sorrow)

b regrets plural : a note politely declining an invitation

—

regretful

play \ri-ˈgret-fəl\ adjective

—

regretfulness

noun

See regret defined for English-language learners

Examples of regret in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of regret from the Web

The most expensive line item of any project can be regret.

— barbara ballinger, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago designers offer do's and dont's for functional kitchens," 2 July 2018
Speaking of the staircase: Rowley does have one regret about that.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "Cynthia Rowley’s West Village Home Is Full of Unconventional Delights," 29 June 2018
That should be the team’s biggest regret in retrospect.

— bruce jenkins, SFChronicle.com, "World Cup’s fresh theme: what might have been," 28 June 2018
Drafting Papagiannis#HereWeLuka — SactownBabyGiraffe (@TimMaxwell22) June 20, 2018 The Kings are gonna regret skipping Luka Doncic.

— noel harris, sacbee, "Why some Kings fans welcome Bagley 'to the family' as others say team will regret pick," 21 June 2018
Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% 0:00 / 3:00 Boise State's Bob Kustra on his achievements & regretsAdvertisement BSU President Bob Kustra will retire in June 2018.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "Boise State-Apple U? Facebook sports? Bob Kustra still has bold ideas as retirement nears," 12 June 2018
Being forced to abandon school at age 11 and work to support his mother and sister by his father’s death was Mackay’s greatest regret.

— gregory crouch, Smithsonian, "The Mining Millionaire Americans Couldn’t Help But Love," 6 June 2018
Not since Loris Karius openly wept on the pitch after the Champions League final last month has the face of one man betrayed as much regret as Christian Cueva's did on Saturday.

— SI.com, "Peru's World Cup Journey: Part 2 - Setback in Saransk as History Weighs Heavy on Christian Cueva," 19 June 2018
Either way, this is communication: needs, wants, wishes, regrets and fears, dreams and hope.

— sallie tisdale, Good Housekeeping, "Everything to Expect, Say, and Do When a Loved One Is About to Die," 13 June 2018

First Known Use of regret

circa 1500

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

regret Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

impenitence, remorselessness;

blame, culpability, fault;

liability, rap, responsibility;

chagrin, embarrassment;

anguish, distress, grief, ruth, sadness, sorrow;

bloodguilt, bloodguiltiness;

apology, excuses, hand-wringing, mea culpa;

Synonym Discussion of regret

sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

- a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

- the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

- the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

- cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

- nagging regret for missed opportunities

REGRET Defined for English Language Learners

regret

verb

Definition of regret for English Language Learners

: to feel sad or sorry about (something that you did or did not do) : to have regrets about (something)
—used formally and in writing to express sad feelings about something that is disappointing or unpleasant

regret

noun

Definition of regret for English Language Learners

: a feeling of sadness or disappointment about something that you did or did not do
regrets : a statement saying politely that you will not be able to go to a meeting, party, etc.