Synonyms of regrettable

regrettable

adjective

ri-ˈgre-tə-bəl 

as in unfortunate

of a kind to cause great distress

the explorers forged ahead despite the regrettable loss of some of their companions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unfortunate
• tragic
• terrible
• lamentable
• deplorable
• horrible
• shocking
• distressing
• disturbing
• grievous
• unlucky
• painful
• woeful
• sad
• disastrous
• distressful
• awful
• unsettling
• dire
• heartbreaking
• troublesome
• sickening
• dreadful
• pitiful
• miserable
• fearful
• unbearable
• severe
• vexatious
• traumatic
• heartrending
• alarming
• poignant
• overwhelming
• horrifying
• wretched
• intolerable
• doleful
• crushing
• piteous
• moving
• affecting
• touching
• calamitous
• excruciating
• harrowing
• perturbing
• ruthful
• sharp
• raging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gratifying
• satisfying
• rewarding
• pleasing
• encouraging
• heartening
• comforting
• inspiring
• happy
• fortunate
• lucky
• heartwarming
• cheering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of regrettable

Other teams signed players to regrettable max contracts after missing out on Durant. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

That could result in some desperate, regrettable contracts being handed out, but last year, most teams that were flush with cap space showed a surprising level of discipline and restraint. — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 13 June 2026

Ironically, this reminiscence preceded my viewing of Remarkably Bright Creatures, the recent Netflix release that seeks to inaugurate a new, regrettable phase in Field’s five-decade-long movie career. — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2026

Tanking was a huge — and from the league standpoint, regrettable — talking point this season. — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026