regret 1 of 2

Definition of regretnext
as in to lament
to feel sorry or dissatisfied about we regret any inconvenience that we may have caused you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

regret

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word regret different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of regret are anguish, grief, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

Where would anguish be a reasonable alternative to regret?

In some situations, the words anguish and regret are roughly equivalent. However, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can grief take the place of regret?

The meanings of grief and regret largely overlap; however, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When might sorrow be a better fit than regret?

The words sorrow and regret can be used in similar contexts, but sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When could woe be used to replace regret?

While in some cases nearly identical to regret, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of regret
Verb
And instantly regretted it, and submitted my resignation at the end of the day. Kurt Andersen, Vulture, 17 June 2026 This is also something GOP leaders may live to regret. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2026
Noun
Bombardieri shares advice and exercises to help couples navigate the divide and find compromise — while minimizing regret in the process. Andee Tagle, NPR, 25 June 2026 The performers all seem to relish the opportunity to be physically abused, although some of them do express regret here and there. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for regret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regret
Verb
  • Panama coach Thomas Christiansen lamented a new World Cup rule that has left his team mathematically eliminated before their final Group L game, with today's clash against England offering only a chance to claw back some pride.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • Torres lamented that the nation’s landmark semiquincentennial comes amid a fever pitch of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, marked by a rise in xenophobia and an onslaught of attempts to restrict newcomers here and abroad.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • The communication reportedly did not seek payment and included language expressing remorse, a detail experts say is unusual in genuine ransom demands.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
  • In an Instagram story, the woman credited with posting the video sharing the Post’s reporting expressed remorse over the situation.
    Doha Madani, NBC news, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Noticias Telemundo confirmed the deaths with Trejo’s soccer club, Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, which mourned the tragic loss of their player’s family.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 29 June 2026
  • At two hundred and fifty, the job is not to mourn it.
    Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s inappropriate comments to jurors implying his guilt.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • Graf said that comment violated a rule prohibiting prosecutors from expressing their opinion about the guilt or innocence of a defendant.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Women often bear the brunt of the shame and grief that comes from divorce, and for many women, divorce can be seen as a personal failure.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Concurrently, adult children often feel shame about accepting money and can also feel judged by the older generation.
    Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Regret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regret. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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