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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
-
Just what exactly are the toilet – sorry, lavatory – arrangements for VIP guests at the state banquet when it is held in a tent?—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
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The four-speed, oscillating fan isn’t particularly fancy (sorry, no Matter support), but with summer right around the corner, the staff favorite is a practical pickup that can blow air up to 34 feet away.—
Brandon Widder,
The Verge,
24 Apr. 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
-
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
-
Horner did not seem remorseful in the interview, Espinoza said.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Apr. 2026
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Todd Kesterson of Kaufman Rossin said his remorseful clients aren't necessarily strapped for cash, but are frequently displeased when their children's fortunes exceed theirs.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The search would have captured 3,000 users, including more than 1,000 attending a funeral service at the Islamic Center of New Mexico.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Mohammed Zaatari / APMourners gather around the coffin of Amal Khalil ahead of her funeral procession today.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her colleague, a blonde woman, seemed more apologetic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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Dunk acknowledged his error with an apologetic hand gesture to Verbruggen.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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