1
as in heartbroken
expressing or suggesting mourning
gave me a regretful look when I told him we had to move my mother to a nursing home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorry
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
was truly regretful that she had yelled at him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of regretful
Weapon art: Call regretful visages in a swirl of smoke.
—
Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Kim’s regretful aria in Act 1 — suspecting his own brother of his father’s murder, Artaserse has mistakenly ordered him to be executed — was a turning point.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Even really successful cast members are a little regretful or self-deprecating about it, or feel anxious even talking about it.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Reminded of that moment Wednesday, Pittman sounded a little regretful.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Kim’s regretful aria in Act 1 — suspecting his own brother of his father’s murder, Artaserse has mistakenly ordered him to be executed — was a turning point.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2025
Even really successful cast members are a little regretful or self-deprecating about it, or feel anxious even talking about it.
—Peter White, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Reminded of that moment Wednesday, Pittman sounded a little regretful.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretful
Adjective
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As the title suggests, the book details Turner's tale of a heartbroken widower who became an unlikely senior-citizen TV star on the first season of the reality show, which ended with an engagement to Nist.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Nov. 2025
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Thomas told the outlet that her brother’s diagnosis left their family heartbroken.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
River, tree, sorry, adder, stink, future, plughole.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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The city is home to endless freeways, not-great public transportation, dry air and hard water, clout-chasing name-droppers, oppressive wellness culture, and $20 status smoothies (which are delicious, sorry to say).—
Rachel Brodsky,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Fitzgerald's final moments shrouded in mystery, Lightfoot's mournful song, the number of lives lost, and the size of the ship alone led her to quickly become the most famous shipwreck in Michigan.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The zebras pranced, all frisky energy; the elephants, lumbering and mournful, trailed behind with their ancient thoughts.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Then sank a flotilla,Then fought a gorilla,And wasn’t ashamed one scintilla!—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
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The only one who should be ashamed is Robert De Niro.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
-
During her sentencing, Javice appeared remorseful, according to several reports.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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While the lyrics seem remorseful, Cardi’s only regrets are for him.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee partnered with AES to start a fund to support funeral costs and other expenses for the families of those who died in the devastating blast.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
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While a sect of their fandom BRIIZE celebrated the comeback, a more conservative portion protested by sending funeral wreaths to the company headquarters.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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During training, Lozano’s Instagram account posted an apologetic message in English.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
When Joanne and Morgan finally confront Abby about the American Girl Doll incident, the latter is apologetic.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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