regret

1 of 2

verb

re·​gret ri-ˈgret 

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

regret

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms of regret

Verb

• lament
• mourn

Noun

• remorse
• guilt
• shame

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of regret in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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 on the Web

Verb

Which of the losses could Texas come to regret the most down the line? —David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 21 Jan. 2026

Probst doesn’t regret the decision. —David Canfield, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026

Noun

There is regret for not having spent more time in Rwanda’s beautiful capital, a mounting excitement about entering its wildscapes, and the giddy anticipation for my first sighting of a mountain gorilla in its natural habitat. —Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

For instance, expressions of regret lead observers to assign responsibility inward, expressions of anger shift blame outward and expressions of disappointment increase prosocial responses. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing regret

• agonies of guilt/remorse/regret
• live to regret (something)
• much to someone's regret
• much to the regret of (someone)
• regret to say

Rhymes for regret

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

regret

1 of 2 verb

re·​gret ri-ˈgret 

regretted; regretting

1

a

: to mourn the loss or death of

b

: to miss very much

2

: to be keenly sorry for

3

: to experience regret

regret

2 of 2 noun

1

: sorrow aroused by events beyond one's control

2

a

: an expression of sorrow or disappointment

b

plural : a note politely turning down an invitation

regretful

-ˈgret-fəl 

adjective