Synonyms of regret

regret 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgret 

as in to lament

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about

we regret any inconvenience that we may have caused you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lament
• mourn
• repent
• rue
• deplore
• bemoan
• sorrow (for)
• grieve (for)
• bewail
• ache (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enjoy
• relish
• delight (in)
• savor
• revel (in)

regret

2 of 2

noun

as in remorse

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing

she was consumed with regret for belittling him in public and felt much better once she had apologized

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remorse
• guilt
• shame
• remorsefulness
• sadness
• repentance
• contrition
• rue
• grief
• sorrow
• penitence
• self-reproach
• apology
• anguish
• blame
• contriteness
• qualm
• compunction
• embarrassment
• misgiving
• responsibility
• scruple
• culpability
• chagrin
• prick
• distress
• excuses
• fault
• ruth
• liability
• rap
• mea culpa
• hand-wringing
• bloodguilt
• bloodguiltiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impenitence
• remorselessness

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

Recent Examples of regret

Verb

Now Connor Zilisch has until 2028 to make sure nobody regrets it. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The Argentina international defender, now a coach at Arsenal, came to regret the saga. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Noun

Those patterns eventually point to no-regrets moves and larger strategic shifts. — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Amid the chatter about comeuppance, the celebrity blogger’s sister said that her brother is a good person who has expressed regret over the tone of some of his early-career scandals. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026