regrettable

adjective

re·​gret·​ta·​ble ri-ˈgre-tə-bəl How to pronounce regrettable (audio)
: deserving regret

Examples of regrettable in a Sentence

His decision to quit is regrettable. It was a regrettable mistake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump’s corruption of conservatism, evangelicalism, the law, the Constitution, and democracy has also had the regrettable effect of turning MAGA’s mouthpieces, including sitting lawmakers, into absolutely reprehensible ghouls. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025 That the internecine fight went public was regrettable: spectators crowed for these race and gender studies nerds to go at each other, with the book taking arguably the greatest damage. Erin Khuê Ninh june 17, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 Given his age, Granlund’s next deal has all the makings of a regrettable one. Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 17 June 2025 This represented a regrettable state of affairs, according to Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent for the New York Times. Becket Adams, National Review, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for regrettable

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of regrettable was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Regrettable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regrettable. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

regrettable

adjective
re·​gret·​ta·​ble ri-ˈgret-ə-bəl How to pronounce regrettable (audio)
: deserving regret

More from Merriam-Webster on regrettable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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