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

Afterward, a student in the audience complained to his parents that, at the event, the deaths of Palestinian civilians had been characterized as collateral damage—a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the battle against Hamas. —Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026

As history has proved, titans of industry often share a regrettable tendency to make a lot of money from leveraging enthusiasm and then leaving others to clean up the mess when the markets implode. —Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

The meal is regrettable and adds only a little sustenance at best. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026

Beyond the smell is the regrettable truth that a spring and summer of actually going out on the river is highly unlikely, if not foolishly risky. —Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2026