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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 regretful
The camera continues zooming out, revealing more segments of people, seemingly alluding to all the lives Park has destroyed in her quest for greed and power, which has ultimately left her regretful.
—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
My sole interaction with the mother was calm and with good intentions, and the outcome of the encounter is regretful.
—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
And the conflict behind it all dates back to a regretful college recruitment and housing decision.
—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
My regretful error was not planning to give myself enough time to properly shop.
—
Colleen McNally Arnett,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
My sole interaction with the mother was calm and with good intentions, and the outcome of the encounter is regretful.
—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
And the conflict behind it all dates back to a regretful college recruitment and housing decision.
—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
My regretful error was not planning to give myself enough time to properly shop.
—
Colleen McNally Arnett,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretful
Adjective
-
The courtroom was packed with heartbroken supporters wanting justice for Jor'Dynn as each woman stood silent in front of the judge.
-
There is nothing more evocative of a pure Love Island experience than a heartbroken rage split in costume.
Adjective
-
For this particular one, there was the cat stuff, but also there was the Monica dating stuff, which is very much based on my horrific experiences, sorry to say.
-
These things are around for so much longer than any of us — sorry to bring death into it.
Adjective
-
The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
-
The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
Adjective
-
Both candidates should be ashamed of themselves for intentionally ignoring a group of American citizens and voters.
-
Crowdpleasers are nothing to be ashamed of.
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
Adjective
-
Mazzei asked whether Heuermann was truly remorseful.
-
Peters doesn’t appear especially remorseful.
Adjective
-
Relatives of a woman discovered dead by her son with her neck slashed in the lobby of her Brooklyn apartment building are appealing to the public for help with funeral expenses.
-
The fundraiser ultimately raised more than $88,000 AUD (about $62,000 USD) to cover funeral expenses, household bills and Axel's future needs.
Adjective
-
Be apologetic for the inconvenience.
-
Streep imitated how Hawn, 80, would arrive on set, always apologetic.
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
