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
My regretful error was not planning to give myself enough time to properly shop.
—
Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
So was recalling important, impactful, or regretful experiences from his childhood.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Simon is angry, regretful, and disappointed at his lack of control.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
So was recalling important, impactful, or regretful experiences from his childhood.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Simon is angry, regretful, and disappointed at his lack of control.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Williams knows how to humanize this bare-bones vocabulary, minutely adjusting the voicing of a chord or caressing the last of a set of recurring motifs with a regretful ritardando.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretful
Adjective
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At the end of the book, feeling heartbroken about Marcus’ involvement in Nancy’s death, Mary kills Howard by giving him too many painkillers.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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The heartbroken mother didn’t want to be identified, fearing for her family’s safety.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some personalities, though, just will never make the cut – sorry, Jar Jar.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
-
This is beyond insane, and a sorry excuse for the state of the Supreme Court.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The hour-long event included mournful hymns, prayers and the laying of wreaths by the participants, which included representatives from many countries around the world.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
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His face, always stationed somewhere halfway to hangdog, seems to gain 20 new creases carved deep into his skin, accentuating his mournful eyes and his excruciated, heartbroken smile.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mayor Gloria and the City Council should be ashamed of themselves.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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May the world know that Americans are ashamed and suffering and locked into despair and destruction, which now affects the world.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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
-
In the wake of Kirk’s murder, and the high-profile punishments incurred by those who weren’t properly remorseful, Kirk morphed into one of the most widespread memes in recent memory.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
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Horner did not seem remorseful in the interview, Espinoza said.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In April 2021, Prince Philip — Eugenie's grandfather — died at the age of 99, with the couple attending the funeral proceedings together.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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Both Michelle and Nakayla’s families have launched GoFundMes to help cover funeral expenses.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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Her colleague, a blonde woman, seemed more apologetic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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