as in sadly
with feelings of bitterness or grief
I must regretfully inform you that you are not among those who have been accepted for our internship program
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Recent Examples of regretfully
Colin has been rather bland in the first two seasons, and regretfully Newton's performance hasn't done much to give him life.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 16 May 2024
The new city manager, who makes a fraction of her predecessor, has regretfully received some very ugly messages.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 18 June 2024
Your email included a list of insecticides used that do give control but regretfully not all the pests are eliminated.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2024
Yet even among Americans opposed to a punitive approach, it’s become common to sigh regretfully, lament that affordable housing is in short supply, and point out that unhoused people often turn down shelter — so what can cities really do?
—Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 29 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for regretfully
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 16 May 2024
The new city manager, who makes a fraction of her predecessor, has regretfully received some very ugly messages.
—Teri Sforza, Orange County Register, 18 June 2024
Your email included a list of insecticides used that do give control but regretfully not all the pests are eliminated.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2024
Yet even among Americans opposed to a punitive approach, it’s become common to sigh regretfully, lament that affordable housing is in short supply, and point out that unhoused people often turn down shelter — so what can cities really do?
—Rachel M. Cohen, Vox, 29 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for regretfully
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretfully
sadly
Adverb
-
Smile sadly at her, his face an eerie twin of her own.—
Mona Awad,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
-
Authorities confirmed that one student sadly died in the incident.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regretfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretfully. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.
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