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
Checkout pages create friction to prevent regretful purchases.
—
Jason Snyder, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Unfortunately the hardest part to this is not to live in a regretful state.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025
As expected, many regretful habits are attached to nighttime routines–when some productive distractions or extra comforts added to the process can at first feel like a godsend.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Jason Snyder, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Unfortunately the hardest part to this is not to live in a regretful state.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025
As expected, many regretful habits are attached to nighttime routines–when some productive distractions or extra comforts added to the process can at first feel like a godsend.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretful
Adjective
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And before long, his pig is stolen, leaving him heartbroken.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Once the game is over, pink soldiers approach Yong-sik to shoot him and ensure that he’s eliminated, despite Geum-ja’s heartbroken pleas.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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There will be no combustion engine on board—sorry, V-8 fans—with all the power required to run the control and motion systems for the foils, the keel and rudder, and the onboard computers and instruments generated autonomously while under sail.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
26 June 2025
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Even savvy healthcare consumers – aka patients – will have a hard time reining in healthcare spending in the face of physicians preaching an ethic of better safe than sorry.—
Peter Ubel,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Unlike most of his hardcore predecessors, Yates has a knack for mournful melodies, and a voice that may remind some older listeners of Perry Farrell, from Jane’s Addiction.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
11 June 2025
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Now comes their follow-up, with a soundalike title, but quite a different mood—more mournful, more anguished, more serious.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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City leaders should be ashamed for letting this issue get so out of hand.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
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Her advice to others facing this journey is to speak openly, accept support, and don’t be ashamed to ask for help.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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The 22-year-old fan admitted to taunting Marte and was remorseful, according to ESPN.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
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But for once, or maybe twice, Hill seemed genuinely remorseful and reflective this week.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Maliciously or willfully disturbing a funeral, memorial service, procession or burial ceremony. Threatening, quarreling or challenging to fight someone, or fighting.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
16 June 2025
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Visitation will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. local time at the Springhill Cemetery in Madison, Tenn., while the funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Church.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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When the second gun was found, the passenger was apologetic, TSA workers said.—
Amaia Gavica,
Idaho Statesman,
12 June 2025
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Being apologetic for the incident, Heim told NBC Sports: Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite/Foster Love Toyota, enters his truck for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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